Recent reports highlight that women take more sick days than men. Drawing from reliable data like Statistics Netherlands and analyses by De Volkskrant, let's examine the key factors and statistics behind this trend.
Key Statistics
Explaining the Gender Gap
Pregnancy-related illnesses and recovery after childbirth play a significant role.
Work environment differences also matter. Women are more likely to work in healthcare, care, and education sectors, where exposure to vulnerable groups increases infection risks, and psychosocial pressures are elevated.
Additionally, women more often take sick days when their children are ill, as shown in prior Statistics Netherlands research.
De Volkskrant provides a detailed list of five explanations for higher female absenteeism.
