Nearly 150 million working days were lost across the UK in 2025 due to illness or injury, highlighting sustained pressure on the labour market, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics.
The data shows an absence rate of 2%, unchanged from 2024, with an average of 4.4 days lost per worker, totalling 148.8 million days across the workforce.
Experts say the figures underline persistent health and productivity challenges facing employers and policymakers.
Ruth Wilkinson, head of policy at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, described the scale of absence as a serious concern for the UK economy and workforce resilience.
The data reveals that sickness absence rates were highest among women, older employees, part-time workers, those with long-term health conditions, and individuals working in the public sector or in manual and machine-based roles.
Asli Atay, senior policy adviser at the Work Foundation, urged stronger workplace support systems to ensure employees can take time off when needed without financial strain.
Separate research from the Work Foundation suggests that two-thirds of workers have attended work while unwell, pointing to a culture of presenteeism that could worsen long-term productivity and health outcomes.
The findings add to growing calls for reforms aimed at improving workplace wellbeing, reducing long-term sickness, and supporting economic recovery through a healthier workforce.