Recent statistics from Spain’s Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Immigration indicate that 2025 saw a record number of sick leave applications, according to a report from El Pais.
El Pais emphasized that the average occurrence of time-related ailments due to general non-work-related issues hit 53.7 cases per 1,000 employees, a rise from 51.1 cases in 2024.
The publication highlighted a consistent increase in sick leave rates in Spain since 2012. They rose from 19.1 cases per 1,000 workers that year to 35.7 cases by 2020 during the pandemic, with a significant uptick observed over the last five years.
This ongoing trend has raised concerns among trade unions, employer groups, and the government, yet none have managed to implement effective solutions to the issue. The report suggests that sick leave will cost the Spanish treasury around 18.4 billion euros in 2024, making it the second largest expenditure in Spain’s social security budget after pensions.
The report mentions that Spain’s social security system is working towards a consensus with trade unions and employer organizations on the reasons behind the rise in temporary disability claims shown in the statistics.
The report also noted, “Measures that have already been agreed upon (like increased involvement of mutual insurers in cases of musculoskeletal sick leave) haven’t yet taken root, and new measures haven’t found enough consensus in social discussions.”
Reacting to this rise in sick leave, the Independent Authority for Fiscal Responsibility (Airef) released a study in February. According to El Pais, the agency identified five main reasons for the uptick, including insufficient oversight of the sick leave process, as each autonomous community in Spain allows sick leave claims via its health system, even though the costs are borne by social security.
Additional factors mentioned were the development of “more protective” regulations, “improved collective agreements,” heightened demand for primary care, and increased waiting times.
“It is clear that if we enhance healthcare for workers, the temporary disability statistics will improve,” noted labor law professor Maria del Mar Crespi, as reported by El Pais.
As per waiting list data referenced by the publication, there were 846,600 individuals waiting for medical services as of December 2024, with an average wait of 126 days.
A Spanish social security official quoted by El Pais also noted that this issue isn’t exclusive to Spain; “sick leave is rising in other aging economies as well. Despite the recent challenges in finding an agreement, we’re trying to develop a solution and hope to come to terms with labor and management organizations soon,” the official remarked.
El Pais released this report just before Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of the Socialist Party recognized that Spain is the first nation to extend its social security system to 22 countries.
“You are the ones building, driving, and shaping this country. You are the team making history. You are creating 22 million jobs,” Sánchez stated.
