Absenteeism in Spain hits record 7.6% with cost of 59,109 million euros

Spain's absenteeism rate reached a record 7.6% of contracted hours in 2025, costing the economy 59,109 million euros — nearly double the 30,171 million in 2019, according to the XV Adecco report Source: abces. The figure includes only the 'visible' cost of lost hours; hidden costs like productivity loss could push the total to over 129,000 million Source: elmundoes.

The cost breakdown

Temporary disability (IT) accounts for 78% of absenteeism, with a rate of 5.95%, also a record Source: infobae. Mental health is a growing driver: sick leave for mental health issues has risen 111% in five years, and is now the second cause by number of episodes but the first by duration Source: abces. The CEOE estimates direct costs at 33,000 million, with companies bearing 17,000 million and Social Security the rest Source: elespanol.

Regional and sector disparities

Highest absenteeism rates are in País Vasco, Canarias, and Cantabria (all 9.6%); lowest in Baleares (6.2%), Madrid (6.6%), and La Rioja (6.7%) Source: elconfidencial. By cost, Cataluña leads with 11,557 million, followed by Madrid (10,290 million) and Andalucía (7,410 million) Source: infobae. Sector-wise, industry has the highest rate (8.18%), but services concentrate the largest cost at 45,096 million euros Source: elconfidencial.

Underlying causes and political debate

The Adecco Group Institute's Carlos Arcas points to aging workforce, mental health, healthcare saturation, and poor coordination Source: abces. The AIReF highlights the collapse of public health and lack of data sharing Source: elconfidencial. Feijóo's fraud-focused comments are challenged by data showing multiple structural factors Source: lavanguardia. Exceltur reports tourism sector absenteeism cost 5,959 million, 2.6% of turnover, with Canarias at 12.1% Source: infobae.