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More than 8% of working time lost to absenteeism in Murcia
Murcia's absenteeism rate is well above the national figure of 7.62%, according to new figures
More than 8% of working time was lost to absenteeism in the Region of Murcia during the first three months of this year, putting it among the worst-performing regions in Spain.
The absenteeism rate reached 8.2% in the first quarter of 2026, up slightly from the same period last year and the sixth highest figure recorded among Spain's autonomous communities, according to the latest report from The Adecco Group Institute.
The figures include all absences from work, with temporary incapacity accounting for 6.5% of working time in Murcia. That figure was actually down slightly year-on-year, although it was still the sixth highest in Spain.
There were noticeable differences between sectors. Industry recorded the highest absenteeism rate in the Region at 8.4%, although it was the only sector to see an improvement compared with a year earlier. Absenteeism in services stood at 8.2%, while construction recorded 7.1%, the fifth highest rate for the sector nationally.
The picture is somewhat different when it comes to workplace accidents.
The incidence rate in Murcia fell by 2.4% over the past year, reaching 221 accidents during working hours for every 100,000 affiliated workers. That's a positive step, although the figure remains above the national average of 195, which itself fell by 2.2%.
Across Spain, absenteeism reached 7.62%, an increase of almost two tenths of a percentage point compared with the first quarter of 2025. It was the highest figure recorded for a first quarter since the current series began and remains significantly above the pre-pandemic rate of 5.41% recorded in 2019.
According to Carlos Arcas, director of The Adecco Group Institute, the continuing pressure is linked to several factors, including an ageing workforce, the growing impact of mental health issues and longer periods of temporary sick leave.
Image: Freepik
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