Health. Sick leave: young people are more affected than other employees

Slightly more than 4 in 10 employees (42%) were prescribed sick leave in 2024, according to the "annual absenteeism barometer" (*), published this Thursday by the supplementary health and welfare group Malakoff Humanis. This level remains stable compared to the previous year.

Young people aged 18-34 are more affected than employees as a whole (47%, +1 point compared to last year, and even 49% among 18-30 year-olds), while seniors aged 50 and over are less affected (32%, -5 points). Managers are also more affected (53%), a rate that has increased by eight points in one year, although it has returned to the same level as two years ago.

By sector of activity, health is in the lead (53%), ahead of construction (48%, +8 points) and industry (44%). This is followed by trade (40%), services (39%) and transport (38%). Short stoppages (one to three days) tend to increase (30%, +2 points), while medium stoppages (four to 30 days) are declining (60%, -3 points) and long stoppages (more than 30 days) remain stable (10%).

After ordinary illnesses (flu, colds, tonsillitis, etc.) and Covid (40%), psychological disorders and/or burnout are the second most common reason for sick leave (16%, compared to 15% the previous two years). This is followed by musculoskeletal disorders (14%) and accidents/traumas (13%).

One in four long-term absences is linked to psychological disorders (+3 points). Employees on leave for this reason primarily point to the demands of their job (34%) and "problems related to managerial practices" (25%), followed by the environment and social relationships at work (23%).

(*) The survey, conducted by Ifop, has been running since 2016. It was carried out among a representative sample of 400 business leaders and 3,000 private sector employees from January 6 to 30, 2025.