Billions in economic benefit: rehabilitation supports the labour market and growth, says new study
- 63,000 additional working hours secured through rehabilitation in 2023 alone
- Net benefit of rehabilitation forecasted to rise to €23 billion in 2025
- An individual net wage gain of €4,440 per rehabilitation patient in 2023, due to recovered working hours and reduced absenteeism
Medical rehabilitation is not only beneficial for patients’ health – it is also a key lever for economic stability and workforce sustainability. This is the central feinding of study, "Rehabilitation Works – Economic Effects of Medical Rehabilitation", commissioned by MEDIAN in Germany and conducted by the Prognos Institute, building on the insights of an earlier 2009 report.
Rehabilitation in Germany is unique. Following acute treatment, patients typically benefit from an inpatient stay lasting up to three to six weeks at a specialised rehabilitation facility. This process restores independence and enables individuals to return to work quicker and stay in work for longer – preventing long-term care dependency, and supporting lasting health outcomes. Rehabilitation is therefore more than follow-up care; it also serves as proactive prevention.
In 2023 alone, successful rehabilitation programmes resulted in more than 63,000 additional working years—a labour market impact comparable to adding a mid-sized company’s workforce to the economy.
"In an era marked by skilled labour shortages and demographic shifts, medical rehabilitation is playing an increasingly critical role in maintaining economic productivity," say the study’s authors.
For 2025, the study forecasts a net economic benefit of approximately €23 billion in 2025 from medical rehabilitation—equivalent to around 0.61% of Germany’s GDP. This figure is largely attributed to the increase in employable years and a reduction in sick leave resulting from effective rehabilitative care.
The study makes a clear case: Investing in rehabilitation is not only socially responsible—it is an economic essential.
Dr Prof Marc Baenkler, CEO of MEDIAN Germany, said: “This study confirms that rehabilitation already provides significant benefits both for individuals and for society. However, the rehabilitation sector will continue to play an increasingly important role in supporting patients — including early-stage follow-up treatment for acute cases, as outlined in the KHVVG in Germany (Hospital Care Act), to accelerate their return to independence. The seamless continuation of care after acute treatment through rehabilitation enables people to return to their workplace quicker, avoiding early retirement or the need for long-term care, and improving their quality of life”
Study at a glance
The current study expands on previous analysis by Prognos in 2009, which showed that every euro invested in rehabilitation pays off fivefold for society. The updated study examines the costs and benefits of inpatient rehabilitation in five key specialities, including cardiology, pulmonology, back pain, psychosomatic disorders, and addiction.
The study models the effects of rehabilitation within various scenarios using the rehabilitation benefit model specially developed by Prognos, taking into account demographic developments, prevalence of conditions, and patterns in the use of rehabilitation services from 2023 through 2040. In this context, the health and social sectors—especially rehabilitation—see the following increases in value creation:
- More than 63,000 additional working years annually (63,250 in 2023 alone)
- An individual net wage gain of €4,440 per rehabilitation patient in 2023, due to recovered working hours and reduced absenteeism
- More than €5.3 billion added to the economy in 2023 alone, thanks to people staying in or returning to work after rehabilitation.
- In 2023 alone, rehabilitation helped generate over €2.6 billion in economic value, largely thanks to higher earnings and increased spending by people who returned to work.
Dr Laura Golenia, Head of Group Research and Innovation at MEDIAN Group, said: “These results clearly demonstrate the enormous potential of medical rehabilitation. At MEDIAN in Germany, we remain committed to delivering the highest-quality treatment for our patients —ensuring the best possible outcomes and lasting impact for society.”
MEDIAN Group CEO, Philip Schulte-Noelle, concludes: ““The study makes it clear: rehabilitation must be understood as a strategic investment in the labour market and overall economic performance – especially in light of demographic change and the ongoing skilled labour shortage across Europe. Rehabilitation is an underestimated factor for regional competitiveness – for individuals and for society alike. Those who invest in rehabilitation strengthen employability, secure skilled workers, and ease the burden on social welfare systems.”