Absenteeism in the events industry has risen 23.9% over four years, according to the MICE Forum
Foro MICE's first report on workplace absenteeism in the sector reveals that the average duration of sick leave has increased by 17.5% since 2022. Cases related to mental health disorders have doubled, and the incidence among professionals aged 16 to 35 has skyrocketed by 42.5%.
Work absenteeism in the MICE industry continues to rise. Between 2022 and 2025, cases of temporary disability due to common contingencies (ITCC) increased by 23.9%, reaching 819,819 cases, according to the first Report on Absenteeism in the MICE Industry, prepared by Foro MICE based on data provided by the companies and organizations that are members of the Federation.
The increase in sick leave far exceeds that recorded for the covered population during the same period, which rose by 13.7%. The difference, exceeding ten percentage points, indicates that the rise in absenteeism outpaced the increase in the number of covered workers.
The economic impact has followed an even steeper trajectory. The cost associated with these processes reached 2,339 million euros in 2025, compared to the 1,598 million recorded in 2022, representing a 46.3% increase over four years.
Although the average monthly incidence in the MICE industry remains below the national average?27.52 cases per 1,000 workers compared to 32.78? the report highlights the increase in the duration of sick leave. The average rose from 33.85 days in 2022 to 39.76 days in 2025, an increase of 17.5%.
Higher absenteeism among young people
One of the most notable findings of the study pertains to younger workers. The average monthly incidence of cases among workers aged 16 to 35 rose by 42.5% since 2022 and reached 36.92 cases per 1,000 workers in 2025?the highest rate among the age groups analyzed.
Foro MICE considers this trend a warning sign for an industry that is talent-intensive and needs to recruit and retain new generations of professionals.
Mental health takes center stage
Cases initiated due to mental disorders increased by 100.7% between 2022 and 2025, rising from 2,420 to 4,856 cases.
In addition to growing in number, these cases have a duration that is considerably longer than average. In 2025, they reached an average duration of 113.83 days and generated an associated cost of 33.64 million euros, a 135.7% increase over 2022.
A Challenge for Competitiveness
The president of Foro MICE, Luis Gandiaga, believes that the results highlight the need to address absenteeism from a perspective that goes beyond the management of sick leave.
?Absenteeism is no longer just a human resources issue. It is a challenge to competitiveness. It has an impact on costs, productivity, team organization, and companies? ability to meet our clients? needs,? notes Gandiaga.
The president of Foro MICE argues that data analysis should serve to drive a sector-wide response based on prevention and better people management.
?The MICE industry is talent- and people-intensive. That is why we need to better understand the causes of absenteeism and work on solutions that allow us to build healthier and more sustainable work environments, capable of attracting and retaining the younger generations,? he adds.
In this context, Foro MICE particularly highlights the growth of mental health-related issues and the rising incidence among younger professionals as two factors that should be incorporated into the industry?s future strategies.
A prevention strategy
In light of these developments, the Federation proposes developing a specific strategyfor the MICE industry that includes measures related to occupational risk prevention, health, and psychosocial well-being, training for executives and middle managers, workload management, return-to-work support, and talent retention policies.
The report aims to establish a knowledge base that will enable measuring changes in absenteeism, identifying trends, and sharing best practices. The goal is to facilitate the development of solutions tailored to the characteristics of an industry that is particularly labor- and talent-intensive.
Among the study?s key figures are the 819,819 ITCC cases recorded in 2025, a 23.9% increase from 2022; an associated cost of 2,339 million euros, representing a 46.3% increase; and an average duration of sick leave of 39.76 days. Added to this is a 42.5% increase in the incidence rate among workers aged 16 to 35 and a 100.7% increase in cases related to mental health disorders since 2022.