UK Workers Now Take More Sick Days Than US or Australia

British employees are now absent from work due to illness more frequently than their counterparts in the United States, Australia, or New Zealand, according to new global survey findings. This sharp rise in sickness absence comes as the UK faces a 60 per cent increase in sick days since before the pandemic, with the average now standing at 9.4 days per worker each year, up significantly from 5.9 days.

Comparing these numbers, American workers average seven days off sick annually, Australians six, and New Zealanders just five and a half. While direct international comparisons are difficult due to differing absence measurements, the trend is clear: Britain’s rate is climbing faster than those of other English-speaking nations. The US in particular has seen barely any change in average absences, and Australia and New Zealand have also increased, but to a much smaller degree.

This spike in UK sick days highlights growing issues with long-term ill health, as nearly 9 million working-age Britons now live with disabilities—an increase of 2 million in the past half-decade. Despite these concerning statistics, British absence rates remain lower than those in continental Europe, where workers enjoy more generous sick pay. For example, Germany reports an average of 17.7 sick days per worker, while in France the figure exceeds 22.

The impact on the British economy is stark. Higher rates of long-term illness threaten productivity and growth, with estimates suggesting costs could surpass £66 billion annually by 2030 if trends continue unchecked. For context, UK economic growth since 2019 has lagged behind peer nations, with only a 7.4 per cent increase compared to 13 per cent in the United States, 12.2 per cent in Australia, and 11 per cent in New Zealand.

Experts identify three main reasons for Britain’s rising sickness rates: population demographics, workplace benefits, and workplace culture. The UK workforce is older, with more employees working into their sixties, leading to higher rates of chronic conditions that can both increase overall absences and extend recovery periods. Lengthy NHS waiting lists only exacerbate these issues. Differences in work culture are also significant, particularly between the UK and the US, where longer working hours and a greater emphasis on being present at work are common. Statutory sick pay in the UK is more widely available, offering a minimum weekly amount, whereas millions of American workers receive no paid sick leave at all.

Australian and New Zealand staff receive a maximum of only ten statutory sick days annually—less generous than the 28 days in the UK. Many in Australia and New Zealand reserve their sick days for emergencies, likely suppressing average usage. It is worth noting, however, that research has found no simple correlation between the amount of sick pay offered and inactivity rates. This indicates the problem is more complex, involving how support funds are used rather than just the level of direct financial support.

Within the UK, the gap between public and private sector remains marked, with public sector employees averaging 13.3 sick days a year compared to 9.1 in the private sector. Most of the increase is down to long-term conditions, with mental ill health now the leading cause of prolonged absence, ahead of musculoskeletal issues and other chronic illnesses. By contrast, short-term absence—for example from colds or minor infections—has remained relatively stable.

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