Every second Pole on L4. ZUS published the latest data on layoffs

In 2025, ZUS registered 27.5 million medical certificates on temporary incapacity for work, which translated into 290.5 million days of sickness absence – 0.2 percent. more y/y The largest increase was recorded in absences from work due to mental disorders.

“In 2025, we registered 27.5 million medical certificates of temporary incapacity for work. This translated into 290.5 million days of absence – 0.5 million days more than a year earlier and 8 million days more than in 2021. (…) Compared to 2024, the number of days of sickness absence increased by 0.2% (compared to 2021. – by 2.8 percent), and the number of medical certificates increased by 0.1 percent (compared to 2021 – by 11.8 percent),” ZUS reported in a statement on Tuesday.

According to ZUS, the phenomenon of growing sickness absence in Poland is becoming more and more noticeable, Poles are sick more often and longer – the average length of a medical certificate was 11 days in 2025, and statistically every second Pole insured with ZUS received it.

“Compared to the previous year (…), short sick leave occurred more often – 9.8 million certificates were issued due to own illness up to 5 days, i.e. 0.2% more than a year earlier (in 2024 – 9.5 million), including 1.8 million one-day certificates (in 2024 – 1.7 million)” – it was added.

The largest increase in 2025 compared to the previous year among the causes of incapacity for work was recorded in the length of absence due to mental and behavioral disorders: by 12.5%. up to 34.1 million days.

The remaining most common causes of inability to work last year included: diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue – 42.4 million days of sickness absence (+1.4% yoy), respiratory diseases – 32.9 million days (-0.3% yoy), injuries, poisonings and other specific effects of external factors – 31.7 million days (-2.5%), pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period – 31.6 million days (-0.4%), disease entities related to COVID-19 – 1.2 million days (-29.4%). (PAP Business)

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