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The new geography of remote jobs in Europe

Author

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  • Luca, Davide
  • Özgüzel, Cem
  • Wei, Zhiwu

Abstract

The paper maps the diffusion of working from home across 30 European countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. We summarise the determinants of remote working and show that its uptake was lower than in the United States, and substantially uneven across/within countries, with most remote jobs concentrated in cities and capital regions. We then apply a variance decomposition procedure to investigate whether the uneven distribution of remote jobs can be attributed to individual or territorial factors. Results underscore the importance of composition effects as, compared with intermediate-density and rural areas, cities hosted more workers in occupations/sectors more amenable to working remotely.

Suggested Citation

  • Luca, Davide & Özgüzel, Cem & Wei, Zhiwu, 2024. "The new geography of remote jobs in Europe," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 123880, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:123880
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/123880/
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Adams-Prassl, A. & Boneva, T. & Golin, M. & Rauh, C., 2020. "Work Tasks That Can Be Done From Home: Evidence on Variation Within and Across Occupations and Industries," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 2040, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
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    5. Riccardo Crescenzi & Davide Luca & Simona Milio, 2016. "Editor's choice The geography of the economic crisis in Europe: national macroeconomic conditions, regional structural factors and short-term economic performance," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 9(1), pages 13-32.
    6. Adams-Prassl, Abi & Boneva, Teodora & Golin, Marta & Rauh, Christopher, 2022. "Work that can be done from home: evidence on variation within and across occupations and industries," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • R14 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General

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