Absenteeism at peak levels

According to the Randstad Research Report September 2025absenteeism has doubled since 2013 has doubled since 2013to stand at 7% of agreed hours in the second quarter of 2025 . This upturn confirms that absenteeism has become a structural phenomenon in the Spanish labor market, directly impacting competitiveness and business costs.

The report details that 1,558,809 people did not show up for work each dayof which 1,224,778 were on medical leave (IT).The figures show the magnitude of the challenge for HR departments in all types of organizations.

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A key challenge for industrial companies

For industrial companies, the report points out particularly relevant figures. Industry achieves a rate of 7.4% overall absenteeism and 5.7% for ITThis figure is higher than the average for the sector as a whole.

The communities with the highest industrial absenteeism are:

• Cantabria,

• Galicia,

• Basque Country.

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Among the industrial sectors with the highest levels are, according to the September 2025 report:

• Metallurgy (9.7%),

• Manufacture of motor vehicles (10.4%).,

• Waste collection and treatment (10.6%).,

• Manufacture of rubber and plastics products (8.6%).

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These rates have a direct impact on operational continuity, production planning and the availability of critical talent in industrial environments.

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Sectoral evolution of absenteeism

The Randstad Research Report September 2025 confirms that the growth trend remains steady from 2019. In 2025:

• The industry continues to be the most affected sector.

• The services equal the national average (7%).

• The constructionwith 5.5%, continues to be the sector with the lowest absenteeism.

In the services area, the report identifies activities with rates above 10%, such as residential care, healthcare or gardening services, all with a direct impact on large organizational structures.

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Territorial evolution of absenteeism

The regional analysis of the report places a:

• Cantabria (9.2%), Canary Islands (8.8%) y Basque Country (8.6%) as the communities with the highest absenteeism.

• Balearic Islands (5.5%), Madrid (6.1%) y La Rioja (6.1%) as the least affected.

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For companies with production centers distributed throughout Spain, these territorial differences imply significant variations in organization, costs and talent planning.

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Factors explaining the increase

Randstad Research identifies several key factors behind the increase in absenteeism:

• Growth in mental health mental health-related sick leave.

• Saturation of the healthcare systemwhich lengthens the periods of TI.

• Post-pandemic cultural change after the pandemic regarding return to work.

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These factors have a direct impact on talent prevention, welfare and monitoring strategies in industrialized companies.