Germany Faces Rising Sick Leave and Mental Health Challenges in 2026

In 2025, employees insured by DAK-Gesundheit in Germany were sick an average of 19.5 days, maintaining a high and stable rate compared to previous years. Respiratory diseases remained the leading cause of sick leave, while mental health issues saw a significant increase of 6.9%, surpassing musculoskeletal problems to become the second most common reason for absence. The average sick leave duration was nearly ten days, but older workers over 60 experienced longer absences averaging about twenty days. The highest sick leave rates were recorded in the healthcare sector, with 6.2% of employees absent, averaging 22.5 days.

In response to these figures, DAK-Gesundheit CEO Andreas Storm called for a high-level sick leave summit at the Chancellor’s office, proposing measures such as partial sick leave, a system used in Scandinavian countries, to help employees remain partially active during illness. This approach was supported by Professor Volker Nürnberg, who noted many workers exist in a gray zone between health and illness.

Alongside adult workforce health concerns, the mental health of children and adolescents in Germany is deteriorating significantly. In 2022, 44,381 minors were treated in hospitals for mental health disorders—a 28% increase since 2018. Psychiatric treatment wait times have extended up to six months, underscoring a critical shortage of timely care. Factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate crisis, geopolitical tensions, and societal pressures are contributing to this rise. Girls are particularly affected, often requiring long-term treatment. Mental illnesses are now the most frequent cause of hospitalization among 10- to 19-year-olds.

Calls for better support include demands for more school psychologists and social workers, as formalized in a 10-point plan by the Federal Student Conference. On a regional level, Saxony-Anhalt has committed resources—about 447,000 euros—to enhance mental health support and prevention through local health initiatives focusing on all age groups.

Health Minister Warken emphasized the necessity of addressing demographic changes and workforce shortages, outlining reforms to improve primary and emergency care systems. She stressed investing in health as investing in societal stability and economic prosperity. Furthermore, discussions at the global level with WHO leadership are aiming to enhance pharmaceutical innovation and combat antibiotic resistance.

Overall, Germany is grappling with sustained high sick leave rates among adults and a growing mental health crisis among youth. Political leaders and health organizations are mobilizing strategies, from summits and policy reforms to funding of mental health initiatives, to stabilize and strengthen the country’s healthcare landscape.