Sick leaves across Spain have shown a consistent increase for over two decades, a trend also observed in Málaga. According to Social Security data, temporary disabilities in the province reached historic highs in 2025. The average prevalence of temporary disability due to common contingencies, which are unrelated to professional activity, was 44.6 per 1,000 salaried workers by the end of 2025, compared to 23.6 recorded in 2016.
This increase is significant when compared to the previous peak of 43.1 per 1,000 salaried workers in 2006. Provisional figures for 2025 exceed the 2024 closing figure of 42.8 by two points. In absolute terms, by December 2025, there were 28,364 active sick leave processes in the province, a notable increase from the 7,314 processes in 2012, the lowest point in the historical series. The upward trend has accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic, rising from a prevalence of 30 in 2020 to the current 44.6.
In contrast, sick leaves due to work accidents and occupational diseases have decreased, closing 2025 with a prevalence of 3.26 per 1,000, lower than 3.3 in 2024 and 3.6 a decade ago. However, the duration of these leaves has increased, reaching almost 73 days in 2025 and 77 in 2024, compared to 29 in 2023. Sick leaves for common contingencies have an average duration of 35.8 days. Self-employed individuals, meanwhile, show a lower prevalence of sick leaves (30.8 per 1,000 in 2025), but their periods of incapacity are longer, averaging 95 days.
“"I don't believe there is widespread fraud, that everyone is pretending to be sick. For me, that is inconceivable."
Juan Carlos Álvarez, professor of Labor Law and Social Security at the University of Málaga (UMA), dismisses the idea of widespread fraud and describes the problem as “polyhedral,” attributable to multiple factors. Among these, he mentions the critical state of public healthcare, with difficulties in obtaining medical appointments and long waiting lists, which prolongs sick leaves. He also points to the current lifestyle, which contributes to higher morbidity, including mental health issues, and the aging of the active population, making workers more vulnerable to illnesses.
“"It is constantly avoided to mention that every day more than one and a half million people are absent from their jobs, of whom more than 300,000 do not even have a sick leave report. And the most alarming thing is that it is a taboo subject."
From the employers' association, Javier González de Lara, president of the Confederation of Businessmen of Málaga (CEM) and Andalusia (CEA), expresses concern about the “soaring absenteeism” and the lack of debate on this issue, which generates millions in costs for companies, especially small ones. He calls for the matter to be addressed rigorously in social dialogue to find solutions.
“"Be careful with the absenteeism debate, with how it is approached, because it must be made very clear that if we get sick, fortunately, we have the right to take sick leave, and that most people do not commit any type of fraud."
Unions, represented by María José Prados, head of Employment at CCOO Málaga, reject the term “absenteeism” to refer to sick leaves, emphasizing workers' right to temporary incapacity and the absence of widespread fraud. Prados also attributes the increase in sick leaves to the “weakening of the public healthcare system” and the aging of the employed population, especially in sectors like finance. She insists on the need for social dialogue with data and in-depth analysis to find solutions.
