The graph below shows the percentage of workers from five different Europena countries that were absent for six days or more due to illness from 1991 to 2001

The line graph illustrates the **percentage of workers absent from work** in five different European countries over a **ten-year period**.

Overall

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,

it is clear that

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the **proportion of employees taking time off work** in the UK and Germany **remained relatively stable**,

whereas

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the Netherlands and Sweden **experienced a considerable upward trend**.

In addition

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, the Netherlands **recorded the highest proportion** over the period. Looking first at the UK, the **share of employees absent from work** stood at approximately 2.3% in 1991 and **remained virtually unchanged** until 2001. Germany **followed a comparable pattern**, with the

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standing at just under 2% in 1991 and **showing no significant fluctuation** throughout the period.

By contrast

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, France **witnessed a gradual decline** in the proportion of workers absent from work, with the

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**falling from 5% to 3%** between 1991 and 2001. Turning to Sweden, the proportion **stood at 3%** in 1991 and **remained constant** until 1995, after which it **rose sharply**, reaching 4.7% by 2001. Meanwhile, the Netherlands **registered a

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of 5%** in 1991, matching France, before **experiencing a moderate decline** to just above 4% in 1996.

Subsequently

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, the

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**surged to 5.4%** in 2001, **representing the highest level recorded** during the period.