Fewer cases of the flu and related illnesses, but more mental health conditions—that’s the picture painted by the DAK health insurance company regarding sick leave in Saxony during the first half of 2026. Particularly striking is the sharp 20 percent decline in respiratory illnesses compared to the first half of 2025. Coughs, colds, flu-like infections, influenza, COVID-19, and other illnesses accounted for 1.93 days of absence per employee in the Free State of Saxony. In the previous year, the figure was 2.41 days of absence.
Sick leave slightly lower than in 2025
Overall, according to the data, the sick leave rate in the first half of the year was 5.5 percent, slightly below the previous year’s figure (5.4 percent). This means that, on average, 55 out of every 1,000 employees were on sick leave each day. Those on sick leave were absent for an average of 9.5 days.
Despite the decline, respiratory illnesses remain the most common reason for sick leave. This is followed by musculoskeletal complaints, including back pain. Mental health conditions are the third most common reason.
For the analysis, the DAK evaluated data from 50,400 employed insured individuals in Saxony.
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