Sickness absence, Q2 2011

Doctor-certified sickness absence rose from 5.5 to 5.7 per cent, and came mainly among women. Self-certified sickness remained unchanged at 0.8 per cent.

Sickness absence in the second quarter of 2011 was 7.1 per cent lower than in the first quarter of 2001, the first year of implementation of the agreement on an inclusive labour market.

Increase in doctor-certified absence for women

Doctor-certified sickness absence for women increased from 8 to 8.3 per cent; an increase of 4.2 per cent. Doctor-certified sickness absence for men remained unchanged at 5 per cent.

Strongest increase in public industries

Among the major industries, the public administration and education had the strongest increases, by 8.3 and 7 per cent respectively. The sickness absence levels for these industries are still below the average.

Smallest increase in private sectors

Sickness absence rose in all of the sectors. Central government (including health enterprises) and local government had the strongest increase by 5.7 per cent. The absence in private sector increased by 0.7 per cent.

The sickness absence level was lowest in the private sector, with 6 per cent, and highest in local government, with 8.2 per cent.

Decrease for the youngest age groups

The doctor-certified absence amongst the youngest age-groups (below 25 years) had the strongest decrease by 4.9 per cent. The reduction for men and women in these age groups were 6.6 and 3.5 per cent respectively.

The female age groups 55-59 and 60-64 years had the strongest increase, by 8.9 and 7.4 per cent respectively.

For men, the age group 55-59 and 50-54 years had the strongest increase amongst the largest age groups by 3.8 and 2.9 per cent respectively.

These results are based on data on sickness absence certified by a doctor, as the survey on self-certified absence does not contain data on sickness absence by age.

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