DAK-Gesundheit: Sickness absence edges down through June 2026 as mental illness rises
DAK-Gesundheit reports a slight fall in sickness absence through June 2026; mental illness is now leading cause while respiratory cases fall, per Iges-Institut
The average number of sick days taken by employees fell modestly in the first half of 2026, according to an analysis of DAK-Gesundheit insurance records. Workers who were insured with the fund were on average registered as unfit for work for 9.6 days through June, down from 9.9 days in the same period of 2025. The report, prepared from data evaluated by the Berlin-based Iges-Institut, also shows a shift in the causes of absence, with mental health problems now accounting for more lost days than respiratory infections.
DAK figures show marginal decline in overall absences
DAK-Gesundheit’s internal data indicate the sickness absence rate fell from 5.4 percent in the first half of 2025 to 5.3 percent through June 2026. That rate means an average of 53 out of every 1,000 employees were on sick leave on any given day in the period under review. The insurer framed the movement as a slight improvement while warning that the number of long-term absences remains a pressing concern for the labour market.
Mental health becomes the top reason for lost workdays
The analysis found mental and behavioural disorders, including depression and anxiety, produced the largest increase in absence days, rising by about nine percent year-on-year. These conditions resulted in roughly 184 absence days per 100 insured persons in the first half of 2026, making mental health the leading single cause of work incapacity for the cohort studied. Health experts and employer representatives described the shift as a signal that workplace mental health support and early intervention remain priorities.
Respiratory illnesses decline after winter surge in 2025
Absent days due to respiratory diseases, which topped the list in the first half of 2025 after a pronounced cold-season wave, fell sharply in the latest period. The Iges analysis recorded a 21 percent decrease in respiratory-related absence days, bringing that category to about 175 days per 100 insured. Analysts attributed the decline to the absence of a comparable winter spike this year and to higher immunity in parts of the population following recent seasonal waves.
Musculoskeletal conditions hold steady as third-leading cause
Musculoskeletal disorders, such as back pain and related disorders, remained the third-most common reason for workplace absence, accounting for about 174 days per 100 insured. These conditions continue to impose a steady burden on employers and health services because they often lead to repeated short-term spells or extended rehabilitation periods. Occupational health specialists argue that preventive measures, ergonomic interventions and targeted rehabilitation could reduce the recurring impact of these disorders on staffing and productivity.
Methodology and scope of the Iges evaluation
The Iges-Institut evaluated records from roughly 2.2 million employed people insured by DAK-Gesundheit to calculate absence rates and cause-specific day counts. Data cover sick-leave registrations recorded up to the end of June 2026 and compare them with the same months in 2025 to identify trends. The insurer and institute said the sample is large enough to indicate broader tendencies among employed insured persons, while noting that absolute figures can vary across other statutory health insurers and occupational sectors.
Implications for employers and health policy
DAK-Gesundheit’s chief executive Andreas Storm described the small fall in overall sickness absence as welcome but cautioned that the volume of long-term sick leave requires targeted action. Employers face rising pressure to invest in mental health programmes, return-to-work schemes and preventive occupational measures to limit prolonged absence spells. Policy makers and social insurance stakeholders will need to weigh options that balance early intervention, workplace adaptation and support for rehabilitation to reduce the economic and social costs of long-term incapacity.
The shift in causes towards mental health disorders also raises questions about workforce resilience and access to timely care. Companies, insurers and public health authorities are likely to discuss enhanced screening, better links between primary care and workplace services, and incentives for rehabilitation providers to accelerate recovery. Without coordinated steps, the trend toward more absence days tied to mental illness could offset gains made from the reduction in respiratory infections.
Looking ahead, analysts will monitor the full-year data to see if the slight improvement in average sick days persists and whether investments in prevention and mental health support translate into fewer long-term absences. The DAK-Iges dataset provides an early indication of changing health burdens among employed people, but broader comparisons across insurers and sectors will be needed to form a complete national picture.
