The number of sick leave days increased slightly in 2023. Last year, workers were sick for an average of 15.4 days, half a day more (14.9 days) than in 2022. However, the number of people taking early retirement decreased in 2023; the year before, it was 4.7 percent less.
The average duration of sick leave fell slightly to 9.3 days, according to data from the umbrella organization of social insurers published by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) on Friday.
Women are on sick leave longer
Women were sick for an average of 16.2 days during the year, 1.6 days longer than men. The most common reason for sick leave was a respiratory disease (about 2.4 million cases), followed by infectious or parasitic diseases (715,852 cases) and diseases of the musculoskeletal system (674,946 cases).
12,872 people took early retirement
In addition, 12,872 people took early retirement in 2023 due to reduced work capacity or permanent disability. That was 1.4 percent more than in 2022. However, the total number of people with early retirement fell by 4.7 percent in 2023.
Most people taking early retirement are between the ages of 50 and 59, with more men (81,806 people) than women (38,096 people) taking early retirement. The most common reason for early entry in 2023 was mental illness and behavioral disorders.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
