“Sick Day Britain”: UK Lost 148.8 Million Working Days in 2025, Up 10 Million from Pre-Covid Levels
Britain is facing a mounting workplace health crisis, with official figures revealing that an estimated 148.8 million working days were lost to sickness absence last year.
According to the latest data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK took nearly 10 million more sick days in 2025 than it did prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. Experts are pointing to a complex combination of post-pandemic shifts in working patterns, evolving attitudes toward taking time off, and intense pressures on the NHS.
Britain lost an estimated 148.8 million working days to sickness absence last year
The Data: Who is Taking Sick Leave?
The average UK worker took 4.4 sick days in 2025, representing a slight increase from pre-pandemic averages. However, absence rates varied significantly depending on the worker’s location, sector, and demographic.
Key Absence Trends:
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Demographics: The highest rates of sickness absence were recorded among women, older employees, part-time staff, and those living with long-term health conditions.
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The Sector Divide: Sickness absence in the public sector drastically outpaced the private sector, reaching 2.9% compared to just 1.7%.
| Category | Highest Rate | Lowest Rate |
| UK Regions | Yorkshire and the Humber (2.4%) | London (1.5%) |
| Leading Cause (Overall) | Minor Illnesses (Coughs, Colds, Flu, Nausea) – approx. 30% | N/A |
The Hidden Crisis: “Presenteeism” and NHS Delays
While 148.8 million lost days is a staggering figure, labor experts warn that it likely understates the true scale of ill health in the British workforce.
Asli Atay, a senior policy adviser at Lancaster University’s Work Foundation, points out that the real hidden crisis is presenteeism—employees working while genuinely unwell. “Our research shows two in three employees have gone to work sick and felt they should have taken time off,” Atay explained. “The priority must be ensuring workers have the financial security to recover properly when they fall ill.”
Currently, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in the UK stands at £123.25 per week (payable for up to 28 weeks), which remains one of the lowest rates in Europe. This financial strain often forces unwell employees back to their desks prematurely.
Furthermore, structural healthcare issues are keeping people sick for longer. Brett Hill, head of health and protection at Broadstone, called the absence levels “uncomfortably high” and directly linked the issue to the struggling healthcare system. “Pressure on NHS services is a key driver, with delays in GP appointments and treatment allowing conditions to worsen before people receive care,” Hill warned.
The Sick Note Epidemic: Mental Health Takes a Toll
Under current UK rules, employees must provide a “fit note” (issued by GPs, nurses, pharmacists, or physiotherapists) if they are off work for more than seven consecutive days.
Separate NHS England figures highlight a drastic escalation in long-term illness. More than 11 million sick notes were issued by NHS staff last year—more than double the 5.3 million recorded just a decade ago in 2015.
While minor bugs accounted for the highest volume of total absences, mental and behavioral disorders—including anxiety and depression—were the leading cause for official sick notes, accounting for more than 900,000 issuances last year.
As Ruth Wilkinson, head of policy at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, noted: “The loss of almost 149 million working days is a stark reminder of the scale of the challenge facing the UK workforce.”
