In 2019, the Netherlands led Europe with the highest share of employed persons working from home, reaching 14%. This was closely followed by Finland and Luxembourg, with 13.3% and 11.6% respectively. These countries significantly outpaced the European Union average of 5.4%. Interestingly, the United Kingdom, often perceived as a leader in flexible working arrangements, reported a lower-than-expected figure of 4.4%, aligning more closely with countries like Slovakia and Poland. The data reveals a stark contrast between Northern and Southern Europe, with countries like Greece and Bulgaria reporting some of the lowest percentages, at 3.6% and 2.8% respectively. This disparity may reflect differing cultural attitudes towards remote work, as well as variations in digital infrastructure and industry composition. The chart highlights a pre-pandemic landscape where remote work was still emerging as a norm, setting the stage for the dramatic shifts seen in subsequent years. The findings suggest that while some countries were already embracing remote work, others had yet to fully integrate it into their employment practices, potentially influencing their adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic.
