An estimated 148.8 million working days were lost because of sickness or injury in 2025 – still almost 10 million more than pre-pandemic, according to official data.
The Office for National Statistics data showed a slight decrease of around 100,000 working days from 2024 (148.9 million), but this remained 9.8 million working days above the pre-pandemic 2019 level of 139 million.
There were, on average, 4.4 days lost per worker in 2025, the same as 2024, but 0.2 days above its 2019 level (4.2).
Groups with the highest rates of sickness absence in 2025 included women, older workers, those with long-term health conditions, people working part-time, people working in the public sector, and people working in process, plant and machine operatives occupations.
Minor illnesses continued to make up the most common reason given for sickness absence in 2025, accounting for 30.4% of occurrences of sickness absence, followed by ‘other’ conditions at 15.6%.
Musculoskeletal problems accounted for 14.6% absence, mental health conditions at 8.9% and gastrointestinal problems at 6.6%.
Workers living in Yorkshire and The Humber saw the highest sickness absence rate in 2025, at 2.4%. Those living in London accounted for the lowest rate, at 1.5%, which was 0.3 percentage points lower than the next lowest region, the West Midlands at 1.8%.
The sickness absence rate has been consistently higher for public sector employees since 2019.
The sickness absence rate was 2.9% for public sector employees and 1.7% for those working in the private sector in 2025.
Brett Hill, head of health and protection at Broadstone, said: “Sickness absence appears to be plateauing, but at an uncomfortably high level – with 148.8 million working days lost in 2025, still 9.8 million above pre-pandemic levels.
“Extended periods away from work reduce the likelihood of a successful return, increasing the risk of long-term disengagement and, in many cases, permanent workforce exit.
“Pressure on NHS services continues to be a key driver behind this trend. Delays in GP appointments and long treatment waiting lists mean conditions are often allowed to deteriorate before people receive much-needed care.
“In response, employers are stepping in – increasingly focusing on earlier intervention and prevention, with greater use of health screening, private GP access and structured wellbeing support to identify issues sooner and reduce the likelihood of long-term absence – protecting their staff and their bottom line.”