"They raise the question of what is wrong with us Finns" - Yrittäjäti's CEO was shocked by the sickness absence statistics 

A comparison published last week by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reveals that Finland had an average of 4,8 weeks of sick leave per full-time employee in 2025. Norway (5,7 weeks), Slovenia (5,1 weeks) and Spain (5,0 weeks) were ahead. Finland's ranking was calculated among European countries for which 2025 data on sick leave was available.

In Sweden, the corresponding figure was 3,2 weeks and in Denmark, 2,1 weeks. Countries with more than four weeks include France. The fewest sick leave periods were recorded in Romania (0,1 weeks) and Greece (0,2 weeks). In Italy, the figure was 0,6 weeks.

– The figures are shocking if sick leave really amounts to an average of almost five weeks per full-time employee, CEO of Yrittäjät Mikael Pentikäinen says.

The OECD, which conducted the comparison, uses a correction factor in the study that is the same in different countries. According to Pentikäinen, it is worth considering whether the factor is correct. He points out that this is, however, the best available comparable information.

– At the same time, the number of weekly working hours we work is approximately 1,5 hours below the EU average and the weekly working time is up to two hours shorter than the regular weekly working time.

In Finland, vacations, public holidays, sick leave and other absences reduce actual working hours more than in most European countries.

“Change is needed”

According to Pentikäinen, the results of the study highlight the need to reform the sick pay system in the next election period. 

– It is unfair that the cost burden of sick leave falls largely on the shoulders of employers, especially small employer companies. It is clear that this needs to change.

– The sickness absence figures raise the question of what is troubling us Finns and how this is possible, even though we invest significantly in occupational health care. I hope that the matter will be investigated further, the CEO of Yrittäjät continues.

The OECD study describes an average calculated at the population level. Therefore, Finland's result of 4,8 weeks does not mean that every employee has been on sick leave for less than five weeks.

Finland's figure has decreased for three years in a row: In 2022 it was 5,3 weeks, in 2023 5,2 and in 2024 five weeks.

The OECD measure applies to full-time employees and describes the number of weeks of working time lost due to illness per person per year. The figure also includes reduced working time due to illness. According to the OECD, sickness absence is influenced by factors such as health status, the structure of the labour market, workload and policies regarding sick pay and absences.

A big dent in the national economy

In Finland, approximately five billion euros in work input is lost annually due to sick leave. This is according to the director of the Finnish Pension Insurance Association Tela. Antti Tanskanen, professor of economics Antti Ripatin and EK's expert physician Auli Rytivaaran research conducted.

According to research, approximately 25 million working days are lost each year in Finland due to sickness absence. This corresponds to a loss of work input of approximately five billion euros per year.

According to Tela, the cost of one day of sick leave to the national economy is on average 257–420 euros.

"When work input decreases, it is inevitably reflected in productivity, companies' costs and ultimately also in the sustainability of public finances," Antti Tanskanen says in a Tela press release.

"From the perspective of the earnings-related pension system, every successful preventive measure that keeps people working longer and healthier simultaneously strengthens the individual's livelihood, the competitiveness of companies, and public finances," he continues.