Overview
- Galicia recorded an absenteeism rate of 8.4% of contracted hours in Q1 2026, placing the region fifth highest in Spain.
- Absences linked to temporary incapacity (medical sick leave) in Galicia rose to 6.8% in Q1 2026, well above the national 5.6% rate.
- Within Galicia, industry had the highest absenteeism at 8.7%, services followed at 8.6%, and construction was lowest at 5.8%.
- Nationally, absenteeism edged up to 7.2% in Q1 2026 with an average 1,602,889 people absent daily, including about 1,240,138 on medical leave and roughly 362,000 absent for non-medical reasons (22.6% of the total).
- Randstad Research warns the rise in absences has been clear since 2019 and says the trend could raise labour costs, complicate rostering and reduce output, so businesses and policymakers should keep monitoring the pattern.