Klekovski: More Than 300,000 Sick Leaves Recorded in 2025

Sasho Klekovski, Minister of Health, published sick leave data for the first time, dividing cases into short-term leave of up to 30 days and long-term leave lasting more than 30 days.

The data show that more than 300,000 sick leaves were recorded in 2025. Respiratory infections and gastrointestinal complaints remain the main causes.

Klekovski recalled that in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of sick leaves was particularly high. However, he said that a 30 percent increase was recorded in 2025, bringing the number of registered cases to more than 300,000.

According to the minister, the increase is not linked to a rise in the number of people taking sick leave, but to the average number of sick leaves used by each patient. This figure has risen from 1.8 to 2.3 sick leaves per patient.

He explained that respiratory infections and gastrointestinal problems remain the most common diagnoses for which sick leave is granted. In the past year alone, more than 10,000 such cases were recorded due to gastroenteritis.

In the category of long-term sick leave, which lasts more than 30 days, the figures have remained unchanged at around 25,000 cases per year.

Klekovski stressed that no increase in the number of long-term sick leaves has been recorded in recent years. On the other hand, the amount of funds paid out for them has increased significantly. The total amount of payments has multiplied, which, according to the authorities, makes a broader debate on the issue necessary.

Following a 33 percent increase in the number of sick leaves over the past five years, the authorities have announced stricter controls.