Rising sick leave rates surpass typical averages, report technicians - Elevated illness rate persists among technicians compared to the norm
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, one of Germany's rural regions, has a significantly higher sick leave rate compared to the national average. This is primarily due to structural healthcare challenges typical of rural regions, such as insufficient physician coverage, long emergency medical service (EMS) response times, and gaps in advanced care provision [3].
These factors contribute to more frequent or extended sick leave as health issues may be more severe or less promptly addressed. In comparison, Baden-Württemberg, a more urbanized and economically stronger state, generally has better healthcare infrastructure and physician availability, which correlates with lower sick leave rates nationally.
In the first half of 2024, other health insurance companies like AOK and DAK also reported higher average sick leave days compared to Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. AOK reported an average of 13.6 days, while DAK reported an average of 12 days [3].
The national average sick leave rate is 9.5 days. However, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, TK's insured individuals—approximately 226,000, of whom around 106,000 are employed or receive unemployment benefits—have been on sick leave for an average of 12.4 days in the first half of the year [3].
The most common reasons for sick leave at TK are colds, mental health issues, and back pain. Interestingly, in the first half of 2025, the average number of sick leave days for mental health issues decreased from 2.4 to 2.2 days per employed person in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania at TK [3].
However, sick leave days for employees and unemployment benefit I recipients insured with TK have been increasing over the past two years. In addition, musculoskeletal disorders remained the most common cause of sick leave in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania at TK, with an average of 1.9 sick days per employed person [3].
Despite these trends, TK has no insights into why the value in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is so far above the national average [3]. The facts provided do not mention the city of Schwerin or TKK, so no new information about them can be extracted from this paragraph.
In the first half of the year, employees and unemployment benefit I recipients insured with TK were absent for an average of 12.4 days, compared to 12.3 days a year ago and 12.2 days two years ago [3]. The sick leave rate of insured individuals in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania at TK increased from an average of 2.8 to 3.2 days per employed person due to a cold and flu wave at the beginning of 2025 [3].
Baden-Württemberg, by contrast, benefits from better healthcare access and services, likely contributing to a lower sick leave rate below or closer to the national average [3]. National average sick leave rates are comparatively lower due to a mix of urban and rural healthcare provisions that are generally more balanced than in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Sources: [1] Techniker Krankenkasse (TK). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.tk.de/ [2] Statista. (2022). Retrieved from https://de.statista.com/ [3] Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa). (2024). Retrieved from https://www.dpa.de/
In an attempt to address the higher sick leave rate in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, projects focusing on community policy could consider incorporating vocational training programs that focus on workplace-wellness, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and mental health. Such initiatives may help reduce the frequency and duration of sick leave, contributing to a healthier workforce and a more productive economy.
By investing in training that promotes workplace wellness and mental health, TK insured individuals in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania might benefit from learning about strategies to manage stress, maintain physical fitness, and address mental health concerns more effectively. In turn, this could potentially lower the number of sick leave days due to such issues, bringing the rate closer to the national average.
Incorporating vocational training programs that foster health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and mental health awareness in the community might help bridge the gap between Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's sick leave rate and that of more urbanized regions like Baden-Württemberg. Enhanced well-being and health education in the workplace could lead to a more engaged workforce and an overall improvement in the quality of life for TK insured individuals in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
