For the first time the number of people on long-term sick leave in Belgium has exceeded half a million. That’s according to the last figures (from 2022) from the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (NIHDI). Those classed as being “long-term sick” are people that are either employees or are self-employed that have been unable to work for more than one year and are recognised as being incapacitated by the NIHDI. In 5 years, their number has risen by about a quarter. Mental disorders and back and joint problems are the most common health issues that lead to people being on long-term sick leave.
The number of people on long-term sick leave has been rising for many years. However, the latest NIHDI figures that the increase slowed somewhat between 2017 and 2022.
Although it is still the case that more blue-collar workers have been incapacitated for more than 1 year, the number of white-collar workers among the long-term sick is rising much faster. Between 2017 and 2022 there was a 36% cent increase in the number of white-collar workers on long-term sick leaved compared to 18% increase among blue-collar workers.
The number of long-term sick is also rising among self-employed people. The increase among self-employed women is twice as high as among self-employed men.
Increase most pronounced among women and the over-45s
The most common reason for employees and self-employed people being on long-term sick leave are:
- Psychological disorders such as depression and burnout
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue such as back and joint problems.
More women than men and are on long-term sick leave. The number of women among the long-term sick is also rising faster than it is among men. Among those in employment, more than three quarters (77%) of those who on long-term sick leave are over 45, and among the self-employed the percentage of over 45s is higher still (86%).
The rise in long-term sickness is apparent among all age demographics. However, it is most common among the over-60s.