Poles take fewer sick leaves but stay on them longer as ZUS reveals leading causes

Data from the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) shows that while the number of sick leave certificates issued in the first half of 2026 decreased, the total duration of absences remained virtually unchanged.

How long does sick leave last on average in 2026?

At first glance, the statistics look optimistic. From January to June 2026, 14.1 million medical certificates for temporary work incapacity were registered, compared to 14.5 million the previous year. The number of sick leaves thus fell by 2.7 percent. However, over the same period, the number of absence days decreased by only 0.3 percent, from 148.1 million to 147.7 million. In other words, leaves are growing less frequent, but employees still spend nearly the same amount of time away from work. The data covers insured persons’ own illness, childcare, and the care of another family member.

This shift is even more visible when looking solely at sick leaves due to the insured persons’ own illness. In the first half of the year, 11.4 million were issued—2.5 percent fewer than the previous year—but they covered 131 million days, an increase of 0.6 percent. The average single sick leave lasted 10.81 days. ZUS also provides a second statistic easily confused with the average duration: a person who used sick leave spent an average of 24.98 days on it since the beginning of the year, as one person may receive multiple certificates within a half-year.

What is the most common duration of sick leave for Poles?

Doctors still issue the highest number of certificates for short periods. Sick leaves lasting 1 to 5 days account for 44.5 percent of all certificates related to own illness. Interestingly, the share of single-day leaves is rising from 7.8 percent a year ago to 8.8 percent currently. At the same time, the second group, much more significant from the perspective of the employee and employer, is becoming increasingly prominent. Leaves lasting 11 to 30 days already account for 29.3 percent of certificates, compared to 27.9 percent in the first half of 2025.

This increase in the share of longer leaves helps explain the apparent paradox in ZUS data: there are fewer certificates, yet total absence due to own illness continues to rise. ZUS report data also shows that the share of 11–30 day sick leaves increased by 1.4 percentage points over the year.

What are the leading causes of sick leave in 2026?

Runny noses, flu, or colds are easily associated with sick leave, but in terms of the total number of work incapacity days, other health problems create the greatest burden. Musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases take first place, accounting for 21.6 million days of absence over six months, or 17.5 percent of all own-illness absence days for ZUS-insured persons.

Right behind them are mental and behavioral disorders at 18.2 million days, or 14.8 percent. Crucially, their share increased by 1.4 percentage points over the year. For musculoskeletal diseases, the increase was 0.7 percentage points, and for injuries and poisonings, as much as 1.5 percentage points. The first two groups together account for 32.3 percent of absence days.

Absence causes, days, and shares in the first half of 2026

Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diseases accounted for 21.6 million days and a 17.5 percent share. Mental and behavioral disorders accounted for 18.2 million days and a 14.8 percent share. Injuries, poisonings, and consequences of external causes accounted for 17.2 million days and a 14.0 percent share. Respiratory system diseases accounted for 16.1 million days and a 13.1 percent share. Pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium accounted for 15.6 million days and a 12.7 percent share.

Who takes more sick leaves—women or men?

A difference between women and men also appears in general statistics, where 56.3 percent of certificates for own illness were issued to women. ZUS notes that the share was similar the previous year. Women also have a slightly higher cumulative absence length, averaging 25.70 days compared to 24.11 days for men. The age group generating the most absence days overall is 30–39 years old at 25.7 percent, while for men the peak shifts a decade to 40–49 years old.

Childcare and family member care data in 2026

ZUS data shows another shift as parents use childcare-related leaves less frequently, while certificates issued for the care of another family member grow rapidly. From January to June 2026, the insured received 1.484 million certificates for childcare, covering 5.34 million days—a drop of 6.2 percent in certificates and 9.7 percent in days compared to 2025. Conversely, for caring for another family member, ZUS noted 283,000 certificates, a 12.7 percent increase, covering 1.319 million days, a 9 percent increase.

Who can control sick leave in 2026?

The growing share of longer leaves does not change the rules of their use. A medical certificate confirms temporary work incapacity and may be subject to inspection. ZUS reminds that employers paying sick pay can check the correct use of leave, and employers registering more than 20 insured persons have inspection rights for allowances. For smaller numbers, employers can request ZUS to conduct an appropriate inspection under the social insurance cash benefits act.