Long-Term Sickness Absence in Finland: Trends by Sex, Age and Diagnostic Group from 2010–2023

Tiivistelmä

Monitoring sickness absence trends across different population and diagnostic groups is essential for identifying emerging patterns in health and work disability. This report aimed to examine trends in long-term sickness absence in Finland by sex, age, and the most common diagnostic groups for the period 2010–2023.

Data were collected from national registers covering all non-retired residents aged 16–67 in Finland from 2010 to 2023 (annual N > 3.1 million persons). Long-term sickness absence (LTSA) was defined using information on the receipt of sickness allowance, a benefit provided after a 10-day waiting period. Annual LTSA prevalence and LTSA days were calculated by sex, 10-year age groups, and most important diagnostic groups.

Throughout 2010–2023, LTSA was more common among women than among men and among older age groups than younger age groups. The relative importance of different diagnostic groups causing LTSA changed significantly during the study period. The importance of musculoskeletal diseases declined, while LTSA due to mental disorders rose sharply during the latter half of the study period, particularly among women aged 16–44. By the end of the study period, mental disorders had become the leading cause of LTSA in most sex and age groups, except men over 45 and women over 55, where musculoskeletal diseases remained the primary cause. Other diagnostic groups contributed less significantly to LTSA.

The findings underscore the need for targeted measures to support mental health and work ability, especially among young adults, and to sustain the positive trend in reducing musculoskeletal diseases and other somatic diseases causing work disability.

Lue koko julkaisu (helda.helsinki.fi).

Tekijät

Jenni Blomgren, Riku Perhoniemi

Lisätietoja julkaisusta

• Vertaisarvioitu: ei.
• Avoin saatavuus: kyllä.
• Koko viite: Blomgren, J., & Perhoniemi, R. (2025). Long-Term Sickness Absence in Finland: Trends by Sex, Age and Diagnostic Group from 2010–2023 (Reports 8). Kela. http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-284-227-5