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Work from home trends in European countries

Author

Listed:
  • Molina, Jose Alberto
  • Velilla, Jorge

Abstract

This paper analyzes the evolution of working from home across European countries using data from the European Working Conditions Survey (2005–2021). The study documents a substantial increase in working from home, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with notable cross-country and gender differences. It also examines how working from home correlates with individual characteristics such as gender, age, education, employment status, occupation, and household composition. We find that self-employment, digital work intensity, and higher education are consistently associated with greater working from home prevalence. Conversely, public sector employment and full-time contracts are negatively related to working from home.

Suggested Citation

  • Molina, Jose Alberto & Velilla, Jorge, 2025. "Work from home trends in European countries," MPRA Paper 124865, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:124865
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    File URL: https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/124865/1/MPRA_paper_124865.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. José Ignacio Giménez-Nadal & José Alberto Molina & Jorge Velilla, 2023. "Should We Cheer Together? Gender Differences in Instantaneous Well-being: An Application to COVID-19 Lockdowns," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 529-562, February.
    2. Nicholas Bloom & James Liang & John Roberts & Zhichun Jenny Ying, 2015. "Does Working from Home Work? Evidence from a Chinese Experiment," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 130(1), pages 165-218.
    3. Alfred M. DOCKERY & Sherry BAWA, 2018. "When two worlds collude: Working from home and family functioning in Australia," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 157(4), pages 609-630, December.
    4. Foliano, Francesca & Tonei, Valentina & Sevilla, Almudena, 2022. "Social Restrictions and Well-Being: Disentangling the Mechanisms," IZA Discussion Papers 15734, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    5. Brandon J. Restrepo & Eliana Zeballos, 2020. "The effect of working from home on major time allocations with a focus on food-related activities," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 1165-1187, December.
    6. Sabrina Wulff Pabilonia & Victoria Vernon, 2023. "Who is doing the chores and childcare in dual-earner couples during the COVID-19 era of working from home?," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 519-565, June.
    7. Safirova, Elena, 2002. "Telecommuting, traffic congestion, and agglomeration: a general equilibrium model," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 52(1), pages 26-52, July.
    8. Younghwan Song & Jia Gao, 2020. "Does Telework Stress Employees Out? A Study on Working at Home and Subjective Well-Being for Wage/Salary Workers," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(7), pages 2649-2668, October.
    9. Brandon J. Restrepo & Eliana Zeballos, 2022. "Correction to: Work from Home and Daily Time Allocations: Evidence from the Coronavirus Pandemic," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 759-761, September.
    10. Brandon J. Restrepo & Eliana Zeballos, 2022. "Work from home and daily time allocations: evidence from the coronavirus pandemic," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 735-758, September.
    11. José Ignacio Giménez-Nadal & Jorge Velilla, 2024. "Home-based work, time allocations, and subjective well-being: gender differences in the United Kingdom," Empirica, Springer;Austrian Institute for Economic Research;Austrian Economic Association, vol. 51(1), pages 1-33, February.
    12. Brandon J. Restrepo & Eliana Zeballos, 2023. "Working from Home and Emotional Well-Being during Major Daily Activities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-13, February.
    13. Daniel S. Hamermesh, 2020. "Life satisfaction, loneliness and togetherness, with an application to Covid-19 lock-downs," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 983-1000, December.
    14. Rhee, Hyok-Joo, 2008. "Home-based telecommuting and commuting behavior," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 63(1), pages 198-216, January.
    15. Jaeseung Kim, 2020. "Workplace Flexibility and Parent–Child Interactions Among Working Parents in the U.S," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 151(2), pages 427-469, September.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    work from home; remote work; telework; EWCS data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D0 - Microeconomics - - General
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General

    NEP fields

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