Employees in Britain take home 74% of their normal net pay when they are ill for six months. This equates to 61% of employer-provided benefit and 13% of social security but staff in the Netherlands receive 100% of sick pay from bosses. Some countries such as Estonia and the Czech Republic do not offer any 'off ill' benefits.

• For Aon Consulting's Eurostat report contact Nick Clapp on 020 7623 5500.