OBJECTIVES: We analysed how the number of people eligible for sickness benefits, the number of days spent on sick leave and the sick leave days per case changed by gender and age group in Hungary between 2005-2016.

METHODS: Statistical reports of the National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary and of the National Statistical Data Collection Program, data processed by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office.

RESULTS: In Hungary between 2005-2013 the average daily number of sick pay beneficiaries decreased from 102 to 54 thousand people. After that a slow growth started, the average number of sick pay beneficiaries increased up to 59,000 people in 2014, up to 64,000 people in 2015, and up to 69,000 people in 2016. The number of sick leave days decreased almost by half from 37 million to 20 million between 2005 and 2013, in 2016 it was 25 million. The number of very short periods of sick pay leave increased while the number of claims over 30 days decreased. Replacement rates of sick pay have also been reduced. Between 2005 and 2013, women compared to men were more by 40-46% on sick leave. Between 2014 and 2016, 59-60% of the people on sick leave were women on daily average.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on the comprehensive analysis of statistical data, taking sick leave is closely linked to employment rates, and the regulation regarding the amount of daily sick pay. The difference by gender is primarily due to that women more often go to sick pay because of their sick child. The number of men was higher only in the cases of occupational, road traffic or any other accidents. As the number of available sick leave days and also the care needs are decreasing with the increasing age of children, so the cases of sick pay of women are decreasing.