In Germany, the care of sick children remains largely a women’s affair. This is shown by an evaluation by the Scientific Institute of the AOK on International Children’s Day on June 1.

In 2025, 73 percent of all children’s sick days nationwide were accounted for by female AOK members, while the proportion of men was 27 percent. The participation of fathers was lowest in Bavaria at 23 percent, while the most balanced distribution was in Saxony at almost 31 percent.

The chairwoman of the board of the AOK Federal Association, Dr. Carola Reimann, explained that these figures make it clear how unevenly care work is still distributed in families. Parents should be free to decide who will look after the sick child, but the task remains largely with the mothers. She welcomed the fact that the planned reduction in child sickness benefit in the meantime is now off the table and that existing inequalities will not be further exacerbated.

Child sickness benefit is an important achievement of the solidarity community. The entitlement is equally entitled to every parent with statutory insurance, but continues to be used unequally. Reimann pointed out that women earn less on average than men, which further favours the unequal distribution.

The number of AOK members with at least one case of children’s illness per year fell slightly in 2025 compared to the previous year. Overall, 4.6 percent of eligible insured persons called in sick for their child at least once. In any case, an average of 2.5 days was lost.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

Gender Notice. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple naming and gendered designations are used for better readability ected.