The line graph illustrates the percentage of workers taking a day or more off due to illness in five European countries between 1991 and 2001.
Overall, the Netherlands consistently had the highest percentage of illness-related absences, peaking twice during the period. France experienced a steady increase in illness absences over time, while Sweden saw a significant decline. Germany had the lowest illness absenteeism throughout, with the UK showing little fluctuation and remaining relatively stable.
In more detail, the Netherlands started at 5% in 1991, experiencing a sharp rise to 6% in 1992. This was followed by a gradual decline to 4.5% by 1995. However, from 1996 onwards, the rate steadily increased again, reaching 6% by 2001, the highest among all countries. France, on the other hand, saw a less volatile pattern. The illness absence rate remained stable at around 3% between 1991 and 1995, after which it gradually rose to 5% by 2001.
Sweden exhibited a contrasting trend, beginning at approximately 5% in 1991. It showed a slight increase in the first year before declining steadily to around 3% by 1997. Despite some fluctuation in the following years, the figure remained around 3% by 2001. Germany had the lowest percentage of illness absences throughout the entire period, starting at 1.5% in 1991 and fluctuating slightly. By 2001, the figure rose marginally to around 1.75%.
The UK showed relatively stable trends, beginning at around 2.5% in 1991. The percentage fluctuated slightly throughout the decade but finished at almost the same rate by 2001.