Absence increased in 2006 as workers took an average of seven days off sick, losing 175 million working days and costing the economy £13.4bn, according to a survey by  CBI and AXA.

The research revealed that long-term absence of 20 days or more accounts for 43% of all working time lost. In the public sector, 52% of absence is long-term, while in the private sector 38% is long-term.

The 2006 research shows an increase on 2005, when the average employee took 6.6 days off sick, and the total number of days lost was 164 million. In 2006 absence cost £537 per employee.

The survey also shows organisations that recognised trade unions experienced more absence - eight days compared to 5.6 days in non-unionised workplaces. This correlation was found regardless of size or sector, except in firms with less than 50 employees.

The survey found that absence levels vary widely across the UK. The north-west lost the most days in 2006 (8.8 days per employee), followed by Southern England (8.4), and the West Midlands (8.4).

The regions with the lowest levels were south-east (6.2), Scotland (6.0) and Greater London (5.8).