The graph below shows the percentage of workers from five different European countries that were absent for a day or more due to illness from 1991 to 2001. Summarise the information by selecting reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The line graph illustrates the percentage of workers from five different European countries who were absent for a day or more

due to

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illness between 1991 and 2001.

Overall

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, the percentage of workers absent

due to

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sickness fluctuated over the period in most countries, but Finland had the highest rates in general,

while

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Sweden and the UK had the lowest. In 1991, Finland started at around 5%, and

this

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figure remained quite stable with some small fluctuations, ending close to 5% again in 2001. France

also

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began with a high rate, about 4.5%, and experienced a slight drop to around 4% in the final year. Germany had a similar trend, starting at 4% and slightly decreasing over the period. Meanwhile, the UK showed a lower and more stable rate of around 2% throughout the ten years. Sweden,

on the other hand

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, had a notable decrease. In 1991, it was about 3.5%, but by 1997 it dropped sharply to around 2%, before slightly rising again by 2001.

To sum up

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,

although

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there were some ups and downs, Finland always had the highest sickness absence rate,

while

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the UK and Sweden showed lower and more stable trends