Soaring Sick Leave Costs in Spain: A 10% Surge Creates a 5 Billion Euro Crisis

Spain's Soaring Sick Leave Costs: A 10% Surge in Disability Cases Creates a 5 Billion Euro Burden In a worrying trend, Spain is grappling with a significant increase in temporary disability cases among its workforce. The first quarter of 2025 saw a staggering 10% rise in such cases compared to the same period last year, totaling 1,793,286 instances. This surge has placed a massive strain on the country's economy, with associated costs nearing 5,000 million euros. The impact extends beyond individual workers, affecting businesses, insurance companies, and the national social security system. "The sheer volume of cases is overwhelming," explains a spokesperson for the CEOE (Spanish employers' association). "It's disrupting operations and creating significant financial burdens for companies." The prolonged nature of many of these incapacities is a key factor driving up the costs. The video footage, showing people entering and leaving a hospital, serves as a visual representation of the widespread impact of this issue. While the exact causes remain under investigation, the situation underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to address the underlying factors contributing to this alarming trend. Further investigation is needed to fully understand the implications and potential solutions.