The number of working days lost through absence in the UK last year fell to its lowest since 1987, according to a new survey.

The figure fell to 164m days, from 168m in 2004, said the annual CBI/AXA Absence Survey. This is the lowest since the survey began in 1987. However, the survey, of more than 400 organisations, found that the cost of staff absence to the UK economy rose to £13.2bn, from £12.2bn. The cost of absence per employee rose to £531, from £495. Higher costs for agency staff to cover absences was partly to blame.

The survey found that absences were higher in the public sector, where an average of 8.9 days per employee are lost each year, This compares with six days in the private sector.

Events such as the forthcoming World Cup are a likely cause of unwarranted absence, said 40% of respondents.