The absenteeism rate at work in France for the year 2025 is 4.68 percent, which marks an increase of 0.27 percentage points compared to 2024 (4.41 percent) and 0.07 percentage points compared to 2022, which had previously been the highest historical level. These figures, released by Groupe Apicil, a social protection group, highlight growing concerns about the physical and mental health of workers, even as the government has implemented measures and benefits for those on sick leave. The rise in absenteeism is largely driven by an increase in sick leaves lasting more than 90 days, which now account for "more than 50 percent of the absenteeism rate," according to the group. Sick leaves lasting more than 30 days make up over 73 percent of the absenteeism rate, with 42.75 percent related to mental health issues and 30.54 percent linked to musculoskeletal disorders. These two categories are responsible for nearly three-quarters of all sick leaves lasting more than 30 days (73.29 percent). Groupe Apicil suggests that focusing prevention efforts on these specific health issues could be a key strategy to reduce long-term absenteeism, as sick leaves lasting more than 30 days represent nearly 75 percent of the overall rate. The observatory also notes a shift in the reasons for taking sick leave, with therapeutic part-time leaves—where employees work reduced hours to recover—now becoming the second most common reason (4.57 percent, an increase of 32 percent in proportion), surpassing work accidents (4.41 percent). Illness continues to be the leading cause of sick leave, accounting for 90.03 percent of all cases. The most affected groups include workers, seniors, women, and employees on permanent contracts. In terms of sectors, the health sector remains the most impacted. Groupe Apicil cautions that the rising absenteeism figures should not be interpreted as definitive but rather as important indicators of employee health, the dynamics within work teams, and an organization’s ability to balance economic goals with social responsibilities. The group believes that implementing a real occupational health policy focused on addressing the root causes of absenteeism, rather than just its symptoms, could lead to a reduction in these figures. This approach, they argue, would not only improve employee well-being but also result in cost savings for the French Social Security system.