Greek employees report just 0.2 weeks of sick leave per year compared with a European average of 2.62 weeks, but productivity continues to lag behind other European Union countries, based on data cited an analysis by IFB and Data Pulse Research.
The data showed that Greek workers take about 1.4 days of sick leave annually, based on 2024 figures, the lowest level in Europe.
In Northern European countries, including Norway and Finland, sick leave can reach five to six weeks annually. Germany records about 3.6 weeks per year, placing it near the middle of the European range.
Experts said that the low level of sick leave in Greece does not necessarily reflect better health or stronger work ethic, but instead points to labor market conditions and limited social protection. In economies where job insecurity remains high and absence from work may lead to income loss or fear of losing employment, workers tend to continue working while ill.
This phenomenon, known internationally as “presenteeism” – attendance at work despite illness – is particularly widespread in the economies of the South.
The analysis added that countries with higher absence rates, such as Norway and Belgium, rank among the top performers in gross domestic product per hour worked.
Experts also said that in Greece, low reported sick leave may even harm economic performance, as working while sick increases the risk of errors, prolongs recovery time and may contribute to the spread of illness in the workplace, ultimately reducing overall efficiency.