Hybrid models of working are on the rise in the United States according to survey data covering worker habits between 2019 and 2024. In the second quarter of 2024, ** percent of U.S. workers reported working in a hybrid manner. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic saw a record number of people working remotely to help curb the spread of the virus. Since then, many workers have found a new shape to their home and working lives, finding that a hybrid model of working is more flexible than always being required to work on-site.

In a global survey conducted with CIOs, respondents stated that fully remote work will likely transition to hybrid work in the future. About 15 to 16 percent stated their companies’ workforce worked remotely prior to the pandemic, and as of late 2021, 30 percent of respondents expected the workforce to be working remotely permanently. By 2022, 36 percent of respondents expected to be working in a hybrid model permanently.

In 2022, around ** percent of respondents stated that their biggest struggle when working remotely was staying at home too often because there they don't have reason to leave. Moreover many people who work from home do not necessarily have a designated workspace, they experience a conflation between their living area and workplace. Most notably, around ** percent of respondents reported loneliness as their biggest struggle with working remotely. As a result, remotely working employees emphasize the importance of finding strategies to balance their private lives with their professional routines. On the other hand, employees also state having less difficulties with collaboration and communication in 2021. This is likely due to the quick cultivation of skills during the 2020 pandemic that allow them to effectively communicate and collaborate with others when working from different locations. Challenges inherent in new work set-ups As employees work from different locations, companies are confronted with the urgency to ease some of the challenges inherent in novel hybrid work solutions. Strategies developed to support remote work include training for employees or expanding information technology infrastructure to ensure that employees can collaborate efficiently from different locations. The future of work Certainly, it is important to take the challenges experienced by employees seriously as the current telework trend is likely to continue and become a common way of working in the future. Addressing challenges head-on in the present will ensure better working conditions in the future.

Introduction

Remote Work Statistics: Remote work has become a significant trend in the global workforce, with 40% of the global workforce working remotely at least part-time as of 2024. In the United States, 35% of the workforce is working remotely full-time as of 2024. Looking ahead, in 2025, an estimated 32.6 million Americans, equating to about 22% of the workforce, are projected to work remotely.

This shift is influenced by technological advancements, changing employee preferences, and the adoption of digital nomad lifestyles, with 18.1 million American digital nomads in 2024. These statistics underscore the evolving nature of work and the growing importance of understanding remote work dynamics.

Introduction

Remote Work Statistics: The traditional office-based work model has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with remote work becoming increasingly prevalent. As of 2024, approximately 30% of the global workforce engages in remote work at least part-time. In the United States, 12.7% of full-time employees work entirely from home, while 28.2% follow a hybrid model combining home and office work.

Productivity has seen notable improvements among remote workers. Studies indicate that remote employees are 35–40% more productive than their in-office counterparts, often working 1.4 additional days per month. Moreover, 77% of remote workers report higher productivity levels when working from home.

Financial benefits are also significant. Employers can save up to USD 11,000 per remote employee annually due to reduced overhead costs. Employees, on average, save approximately USD 4,000 per year on commuting and related expenses.

Employee well-being has improved with remote work. About 82% of remote workers report lower stress levels, and 78% experience better work-life balance. Additionally, companies offering remote work options see a 25% reduction in employee turnover.

These statistics highlight the evolving landscape of work, emphasizing the productivity gains, cost savings, and enhanced employee satisfaction associated with remote work arrangements. Let's examine some statistics to gain a better understanding of the current state of remote work.

These figures are experimental estimates of online job adverts provided by Adzuna, an online job search engine. The number of job adverts over time is an indicator of the demand for labour. To identify these adverts we have applied text-matching to find job adverts which contain key phrases associated with homeworking such as “remote working”, “work from home”, “home-based” and “telework”. The data do not separately identify job adverts which exclusively offer homeworking from those which offer flexible homeworking, such as one day a week from home.

This statistic shows challenges of working remote in 2020. According to the survey, ** percent of respondents indicate managing at-home distractions as the biggest challenges of working remotely.

Online searches regarding home office and remote working have surged worldwide since the global coronavirus outbreak. As companies worldwide have started moving workers to remote work setups, online interest in teleworking policies and setups has grown exponentially since February 2020, peaking in mid March. Search interest has gone down since then, but still remain at higher levels from pre-corona time. For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

Percentage and average percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), business employment size, type of business, business activity and majority ownership, fourth quarter of 2024.

Remote Work Tools Market Outlook

The global remote work tools market size was valued at approximately USD 25 billion in 2023, and it is anticipated to reach nearly USD 75 billion by 2032, growing at a robust CAGR of 13% during the forecast period. The market growth is primarily driven by the increasing adoption of remote work practices across various industries, fueled by technological advancements and the need for flexible working environments.

The rapid shift towards remote work has led to a burgeoning demand for tools that facilitate seamless communication, collaboration, and project management. As organizations worldwide adapt to the new norm of hybrid work models, the need for efficient and reliable remote work tools has never been more critical. The rising trend of globalization and the need for companies to maintain a competitive edge in a digitally-driven market are also significant factors contributing to the market's growth. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a catalyst, accelerating the adoption of remote work tools as businesses strive to maintain continuity and productivity amidst unprecedented challenges.

Another crucial growth factor is the increasing reliance on cloud-based solutions. Cloud technology offers unmatched scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency, making it an ideal choice for remote work tools. Organizations are migrating to cloud platforms to leverage their advanced features, such as real-time collaboration, data security, and remote accessibility. The growing emphasis on digital transformation and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into remote work tools are further propelling market expansion. These technologies enhance the functionality and user experience of remote work tools, enabling smarter workflows and improved decision-making processes.

The rising number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) adopting remote work tools is another driving force behind the market's growth. SMEs are increasingly recognizing the benefits of remote work, such as cost savings on office spaces and the ability to tap into a global talent pool. As a result, there is a growing demand for affordable and scalable remote work tools tailored to the specific needs of SMEs. The market is also witnessing significant investments in research and development activities aimed at enhancing the capabilities of remote work tools, thereby creating new growth opportunities.

Regional outlook indicates that North America is set to dominate the remote work tools market, followed by Europe and the Asia Pacific. The high adoption rate of advanced technologies, robust IT infrastructure, and the presence of major market players in these regions contribute to their market leadership. The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth rate, driven by the increasing penetration of the internet, the proliferation of smartphones, and the rising trend of remote working in developing economies.

Product Type Analysis

Communication tools are an integral segment within the remote work tools market. These tools, including video conferencing software, instant messaging platforms, and VoIP services, have become essential for maintaining effective communication in a remote working environment. The demand for communication tools has surged as they enable real-time interactions, collaboration, and information sharing, thereby enhancing productivity and teamwork. Major tech giants and startups alike are continuously innovating to offer more user-friendly interfaces, higher security standards, and advanced features like AI-driven transcription services and virtual meeting assistants.

Collaboration tools are another crucial segment, encompassing platforms that facilitate teamwork, document sharing, and collective project management. These tools, such as cloud storage solutions, shared workspaces, and collaborative editing software, are designed to streamline workflows and ensure that team members can work together efficiently, irrespective of their physical locations. The integration of AI and ML into collaboration tools is further enhancing their capabilities by offering predictive analytics, automated task assignments, and intelligent project tracking, thereby driving their adoption across various industries.

Project management tools are pivotal for organizations aiming to manage their projects effectively in a remote work setting. These tools offer functionalities such as task scheduling, resource allocation, time tracking, and progress monitoring. The growing complex

In 2022, the main benefit to remote work worldwide was the ability to have a flexible schedule with 22 percent of respondents naming it as the biggest benefit to working remotely. The flexibility to choose where respondents live ranked second.

EFE07 - Effects of Covid-19 on Remote Working of persons aged 15 years and over. Published by Central Statistics Office. Available under the license Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY-4.0).Effects of Covid-19 on Remote Working of persons aged 15 years and over...

United States SB: CT: CS: Remote Work: Moderate Decrease data was reported at 4.500 % in 11 Apr 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.100 % for 04 Apr 2022. United States SB: CT: CS: Remote Work: Moderate Decrease data is updated weekly, averaging 5.100 % from Feb 2022 (Median) to 11 Apr 2022, with 9 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.600 % in 21 Mar 2022 and a record low of 4.000 % in 28 Feb 2022. United States SB: CT: CS: Remote Work: Moderate Decrease data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.S035: Small Business Pulse Survey: by Sector: Weekly. Beg Monday (Discontinued).

EFE09 - Effects of Covid-19 Restrictions on Remote Working of persons aged 15 years and over. Published by Central Statistics Office. Available under the license Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY-4.0).Effects of Covid-19 Restrictions on Remote Working of persons aged 15 years and over...

With 44 percent, most of respondents state that collaborating on new projects works better than pre-COVID-19. This indicates that maintaining a hybrid workplace post-COVID-19 is a possibility for both employers and employees. However, this does not mean that remote work is always an appropriate alternative to being in the office. Over 30 percent of employees state that coaching and onboarding new hires remotely is worse that pre-COVID.

Anticipated change in levels of remote work over the next 12 months, by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), business employment size, type of business, business activity and majority ownership, third quarter of 2023.

The global remote work platform market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the sustained adoption of remote and hybrid work models across various industries. The shift towards digitalization and the increasing need for enhanced collaboration and communication tools have significantly fueled market expansion. While precise figures for market size and CAGR are unavailable in the provided data, a reasonable estimation, based on industry reports and the prevalence of remote work solutions, suggests a market size exceeding $50 billion in 2025, with a CAGR of 15-20% projected for the 2025-2033 forecast period. This growth is propelled by several factors, including the rising demand for flexible work arrangements, improved internet infrastructure, and the emergence of sophisticated platforms offering integrated communication, project management, and productivity tools. The market is segmented by application (SMEs and large enterprises) and type (cloud-based and on-premises), with cloud-based solutions dominating due to their scalability, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. While North America and Europe currently hold significant market share, the Asia-Pacific region is poised for rapid growth, driven by increasing internet penetration and a burgeoning tech-savvy workforce. Despite the significant growth, the market faces certain restraints. These include concerns about data security and privacy, the need for robust IT infrastructure, and the potential for increased employee isolation and communication challenges. However, ongoing technological advancements, such as enhanced security protocols and AI-powered collaboration features, are mitigating these concerns. The competitive landscape is highly fragmented, with established players like Google Drive, Slack, and Zoom competing with emerging platforms offering specialized functionalities. The future of the remote work platform market hinges on continued innovation, focusing on improving user experience, enhancing security measures, and addressing the evolving needs of the remote workforce. The focus on integrating various functionalities into single platforms and providing seamless user experience will be a key factor differentiating successful players in this dynamic market.

The COVID-19 outbreak and the rise of remote work may have generated distinct labor market outcomes for workers, depending on their occupation and adaptability to changes in the mode of work. Using panel data of married spouses around the time of the government-mandated lockdown in Singapore and difference-in-differences models, we examine the effects of remote work arrangements on salary income, work hours, and wages. We find that the benefits of remote work during the pandemic were not distributed evenly across male and female spouses—translating into longer and significant gains in salary income only for male workers who adopted full remote work arrangements. In contrast, female remote workers’ income gains were limited by disproportionately heavier household responsibilities (i.e., chores), which in turn led to constrained work hours.

Data on working patterns and location of work of adults in Great Britain, including costs and benefits of homeworking and future expectations. Survey data from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN).

In June 2025, approximately 12 percent of workers in Great Britain worked from home exclusively, with a further 26 percent working from home and travelling to work, while 43 percent only travelled to work. During this time period, the share of people only travelling to work was highest in March 2022, at 60 percent of respondents, with the peak for only working from home occurring in June 2020. In general, hybrid working has become steadily more popular than fully remote working, with the highest share of people hybrid working in November 2023, when 31 percent of people advising they were hybrid working. What type of workers are most likely to work from home? In 2020, over half of people working in the agriculture sector mainly worked from home, which was the highest share among UK industry sectors at that time. While this industry was one of the most accessible for mainly working at home, just six percent of workers in the accommodation and food services sector mainly did this, the lowest of any sector. In the same year, men were slightly more likely to mainly work from home than women, while the most common age group for mainly working from home was those aged 75 and over, at 45.4 percent. Over a long-term period, the share of people primarily home working has grown from 11.1 percent in 1998, to approximately 17.4 percent in 2020. Growth of Flexible working in the UK According to a survey conducted in 2023, working from home either on a regular, or ad hoc basis was the most common type of flexible working arrangement offered by organizations in the UK, at 62 percent of respondents. Other popular flexible working arrangements include the ability to work flexible hours, work part-time, or take career breaks. Since 2013, for example, the number of employees in the UK that can work flextime has increased from 3.2 million, to around 4.2 million by 2024. When asked why flexible work was important to them, most UK workers said that it supported a better work-life balance, with 41 percent expressing that it made their commute to work more manageable.