The given line graph compares the proportions of workers who were absent from work because of illness for at least one day or more in five distinct countries in Europe: the Netherlands, France, Sweden, the UK, and Germany, between 1991 and 2001.
Overall, despite witnessing some fluctuations, the Netherlands continued to have the highest level of illness absence throughout the years surveyed. On the other hand, Germany recorded by far the lowest rate. France had a stronger decrease as compared to Sweden, which had a gradual rise. By contrast, the UK and Germany were both relatively stable. Moreover, France and Sweden shared the same data in 1996.
Looking closely at the graph, in 1991, the percentage of absent workers in the Netherlands accounted for 5%, and increased slowly to around 5.5% in the next year. Its figure then significantly dropped to just above 4% in 1996, before recovering gradually to 5.5.% again by 2001. France followed a clearer trend. It had the second-highest absence rate in 1991, which was just under 5%. After reaching the peak at 5% in 1992, it dipped noticeably towards 1996 and stopped at above 3%. During the latter period, it remained close to 3%, ending at exactly 3% in the last year surveyed.
Sweden’s figure showed an opposite pattern to that of France. The absence rate remained close to 3% during the first six years, but then it rose sharply, peaking at approximately 4.8% by 2001. Meanwhile, the UK witnesses a stable record at closely 2.4% to 2.7% from 1991 to 1996. Germany had the lowest level of illness absence every year, at just around 1.5% to 18% throughout the period.