Differences and Trends in Sickness Absences by Population Group

Published 1.1.2022Edited 20.12.2024

Monitoring sickness absences among adult population and understanding the predicting factors is important, as sickness absences result in large losses in productivity and increase costs. In recent years, sickness absences based on mental health have become increasingly common.
The goal of this study is to investigate the emergence and trends in long sickness absences measured in days receiving sickness allowance as well as the related factors by population group, region, and disease category between 2010 and 2022. The material comprises register data from Kela, Finnish Centre for Pensions, and Statistics Finland containing information on sickness allowance periods and the sociodemographic background of the population. This research project generates new information on the recent trends in sickness absences compensated with sickness allowance. In particular, we produce information on the trends in sickness absences by occupation. The results will benefit those interested in the management of sickness absences and the development and steering of the sickness allowance system.

Researchers

Project Implementation Period

1.1.2022–30.6.2024. The project has ended.

Cooperation Partners

Eläketurvakeskus (etk.fi)

Project Results

This project examined the incidence of and trends affecting long sickness absences measured in terms of receipt of sickness allowance by population group and main diagnostic category between 2010 and 2022. The project also studied the trends in sickness absences and infectious disease allowance payments observed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The data used in the study were register data on sickness allowance periods and sociodemographic factors compiled by Kela, the Finnish Centre for Pensions and Statistics Finland. The project generated new data on trends in sickness absences reimbursed under the sickness allowance scheme in recent years. The results particularly highlighted the sharp increase in mental health based sickness absences within the past ten years, especially among young adults. Over the same period, the costs of mental health based incapacity for work have increased significantly. The project also examined changes in the grounds for separate sickness allowance periods granted to the same individual. The results show that a fifth of those who received sickness allowance began a new sickness allowance period within two years on some other grounds than their previous diagnosis.