According to statistics, 77% of employees would prefer a position that allows them to work from home when needed. And, since the notorious COVID-19 pandemic is on the rise and businesses all around the world are closing, more and more people are working from the comfort of their own home.
While working from home has its perks, like staying in your pajamas or avoiding the annoying commute, many struggle with staying productive. These work from home statistics will introduce you to everything you need to know about your new job environment—and they will certainly put you in the right mindset. So sit back, relax, and learn how to stay motivated and productive while working from home.
The Top 10 Stats on Working From Home
- 29% of survey respondents working from home had a difficult time finding a good balance between work and life.
- Employees who work from home lose 27 minutes daily on distractions.
- Approximately 77% of workers would prefer a position that lets them work from home once a week, show work from home statistics.
- The average remote employee earns $58,000 annually and typically works for a business with over 100 workers.
- Globally, 44% of companies don’t allow employees to work from home.
- On average, there have been 39% fewer employees at their workplaces during the Coronavirus pandemic.
- Having experienced remote work, 72% of survey respondents wanted a hybrid workplace model going forward.
- It is predicted that working from home will be a part of the way forward, even after the pandemic.
- 43% of people working from home in India claimed that not having a social work atmosphere was a disadvantage.
- In the United States, approximately 74% of patients would utilize telehealth if offered.
The Pros and Cons of Working from Home
Is it more productive to work from home? Is it more or less stressful? This section will give answers to these and more.
1. Remote employees work 1.4 days more on a monthly basis than others.
(BusinessNewsDaily)
In fact, the stats reveal that remote employees work three weeks more per year compared to people who work from an office. Airtasker examined 1,004 full-time American employees, of which 505 were remote workers. Working from home productivity statistics show that remote working can add to productivity levels. This 2019 survey found that at-home work not only helps people by eliminating stressful commutes, but it’s also healthier.
2. However, 54% of Americans who work from home felt stressed during the workday.
(BusinessNewsDaily)
Comparatively, 49% of employees working from the office said the same. Furthermore, 45% of remote employees and 42% of office employees felt extremely anxious during the workday. Not only that, but 37% of remote employees procrastinated until a deadline, compared to 35% of office employees.
3. When it comes to telecommuting in the United States, statistics reveal that around 29% of survey respondents working from home had a difficult time finding a good balance between work and life.
(BusinessNewsDaily)
In comparison, only 23% of employees who work from the office reported feeling the same way. To alleviate these feelings of anxiety and get things done, experts recommend taking breaks, following a schedule, keeping a to-do list, and eliminating distractions.
4. 37% of remote employees who took regular breaks were more productive, based on data from 2020 and relevant work from home statistics.
(BusinessNewsDaily, Airtasker)
According to the results of the Airtasker survey, the most effective method in keeping employees who work from home productive and motivated is by taking short, frequent breaks. Experts claim that the Pomodoro Technique is one of the best for remote workers.
5. Employees who work from home lose 27 minutes daily on distractions.
(BusinessNewsDaily)
In comparison, employees who work from an office lose approximately 37 minutes on distractions. Furthermore, of the employees who work from home, statistics from 2020 found that 8% of them and 6% of office employees struggle with focusing on their assignments. The most common distractions include phone calls, social media, and text messages.
6. Each week, remote employees spend 2 hours and 44 minutes working out and getting in shape.
(BusinessNewsDaily)
In comparison, employees who work from the office exercise 25 minutes less than remote workers. Without a daily commute, workers have more free time to build healthier lifestyle habits and take up new hobbies. If you have the opportunity, certainly try out surfing, a popular outdoor activity.
7. Approximately 77% of workers would prefer a position that lets them work from home once a week.
(AfterCollege)
For remote workers, statistics reveal that, when offered at least one day of working from home, employees who are not as engaged become more motivated in the workplace. Furthermore, 70% of future employees are attracted to jobs that offer free drinks and snacks, while 68% are motivated by a casual dress code. Not only that, but 67% are also attracted to jobs that involve social activities.
Work from Home Statistics in the US
Find out how many Americans work from home, how much they earn on average, and more.
8. Only 29% of US residents are currently able to work from home, statistics by the government reveal.
(BLS, The Atlantic)
These figures by the Bureau of Labor Statistics also show that one in 20 service workers can work from home, as well as over half the employees in the information field. For instance, the technology sectors at Apple, Twitter, Airbnb, and Amazon have long been working remotely.
9. In 2020, the work from home statistics revealed that the average remote employee earns $58,000 annually and typically works for a business with over 100 workers.
(CNBC)
Findings by Global Workplace Analytics show that the standard remote employee has a college degree and is 45 years old or older. Furthermore, employees who work full-time are four times more likely to be offered remote work options than employees who only work part-time.
10. Statistics on telecommuting reveal that around three-quarters of US adults have access to broadband internet at home.
(Pew Research)
The Pew Research Center also found that older American adults, racial minorities, residents of rural areas, and individuals with lower levels of income and education are less likely to have access to broadband while at home. Not only that, but 1 in 5 adults in America only has internet access on a smartphone.
11. 23.6% of women, telecommuting statistics reveal, worked from the comfort of their home in 2016, compared to 21.3% of men.
(BLS, SiliconRepublic)
Data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics also show that 23.2% of full-time female employees were remote in 2016, compared to 21.8% of men. Furthermore, 24.7% of female part-time employees were remote, compared to 17.3% of men. Across Europe, 5.5% of women and 5% of men worked from home in 2018.
Global Work from Home Stats
In this section, we’ll be looking at working from home around the world.
12. Believe it or not, 16% of businesses only hire remote employees.
(Owl Labs)
Even though almost half of the companies around the world don’t allow telecommuting, a significant percentage of companies are completely remote. Nevertheless, companies that hire both remote employees and in-office workers are the most popular.
13. Globally, 44% of companies don’t allow employees to work from home.
(Owl Labs)
Upsetting work from home statistics revealed that even though the benefits of remote work are countless, nearly half of the businesses all around the globe don’t let their employees work from a home office. However, smaller companies are twice as likely to go for full-time remote employees.
14. In Europe, 6 out of 10 individuals have never worked from the comfort of their home office, telecommuting statistics show.
(CRN, SiliconRepublic)
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Europe is currently experiencing more culture shock than the US from having to work from home. Previous statistics from 2018 reveal that only 14% of workers in the Netherlands worked from home, compared to 13% in Finland. When it comes to Ireland, the stats reveal that only 6.5% of people worked from the comfort of their homes on a regular basis.
15. The work from home trends project that by 2028, 73% of a business’s departments will have employees who work from home.
(Upwork)
According to findings by Upwork, the current workforce contains a high portion of employees belonging to the millennial generation and Gen Z. In fact, by 2028, these employees will make up 58% of the workforce. Because of their influence, it’s believed that 33% of all employees will be working from home in the upcoming years.
16. 6.4% of Europeans between the ages of 50 and 60 work from home, facts reveal.
(SiliconRepublic)
According to research from 2018 by the European Commission, the portion of people between the ages of 15 and 24 who worked from home was less than 2%. However, the percentage rose to 5% for Europeans between the ages of 24 and 49.
Working from Home Statistics and COVID-19
Here, we’ll be discussing statistics and facts that have to do with working from home due to COVID-19.
17. On average, there have been 39% fewer employees at their workplaces during the Coronavirus pandemic.
(COVID-19 Community)
According to the remote work statistics from 2020 by Google, there have been 62% fewer people in Italy at their workplace, compared to 57% fewer in the United Kingdom and 38% fewer in the United States. However, there have been only 22% fewer people in their workplace in Japan during the coronavirus pandemic.
18. 97% of all companies in the United States canceled their work-related travel plans due to coronavirus.
(Facility Executive, BBC, Gartner)
A recent survey conducted by Gartner, Inc. showed that only 3% of businesses in America continued with any travel plans related to work. Furthermore, statistics on work from home by Facility Executive revealed that a staggering 88% of businesses requested their employees work remotely.
19. Having experienced remote work, 72% of survey respondents wanted a hybrid workplace model going forward.
(BBC)
Working from home statistics from 2020 show that COVID-19 has changed employees’ expectations. Only 12% of people who’ve experienced working from home want to go back to the old way of working from an office full-time.
20. It is predicted that working from home will be a part of the way forward, even after the pandemic.
(Global Workplace Analytics)
It was estimated that around 25% to 30% of workers would work from home for more than one day a week by the end of 2021, even with a vaccine and the ability to return to work.
21. 43% of people working from home in India claimed that not having a social work atmosphere was a disadvantage.
(Statista)
Further work from home statistics from India show that 42% of workers were struggling to keep their focus in an informal environment.
Telemedicine Stats
In this section, we’ll be looking at telemedicine and receiving medical care via telecommunication.
22. Telemedicine is increasing, with around 76% of hospitals dealing with patients using some kind of telecommunication.
(NCBI)
This information is as of November 2020. Telemedicine is defined as the remote delivery of clinical information and health care services using phones and/or the internet. When it comes to remote workers and technology, statistics show that there are millions of patients globally who use telemedicine to stay healthy, monitor vital signs, and avoid having to go to the emergency room or hospital.
23. The highest rates of telemedicine being embraced are observed in Alaska (75%) and Arkansas (71%).
(HealthcareITNews)
The next-highest rate of telehealth use in hospitals was observed in South Dakota (70%), followed by Maine (69%). According to research conducted by the Center for Connected Health, the adoption numbers of telehealth are highest in hospitals found in rural areas, while they’re lower in urban areas.
24. In the United States, approximately 74% of patients would utilize telehealth if offered.
(AHA)
Furthermore, statistics about remote workers in the medical field reveal that 70% of patients feel at ease when reaching out to their health care providers through video, e-mail, or text, as opposed to meeting in person. Another 30% of patients already use technology to check their diagnostic or medical data.
Final Thoughts
All in all, these work from home statistics up to 2021 reveal that remote work is rapidly becoming one of the most attractive benefits employers can offer their workers. Whether you own your home or rent your home, working from home is the new normal for many people. Not only does remote work provide heaps of freedom and flexibility, but it’s also a life-saver in the difficult times brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic. Stay safe!
FAQ
What percentage of the workforce is working from home?
42% of people in the United States are working from home, compared to 26% of people working on their business premises. Plus, remote workers contribute to the US GDB twice as much as employees who are not working from home.
(Stanford News)
What percentage of jobs can be done from home?
Around 37% of jobs in the United States can be done entirely from home, while the other 63% require people to be at the location of their work.
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
What are the benefits of working from home?
Some of the advantages of working from home include the following:
- Having a flexible schedule
- DIY-ing your home office to your own personal taste
- Staying in comfy clothes
- Avoiding a boring and stressful commute
- Saving time and money
- Spending more time with your family and pets
(Click Time)
Is working from home becoming more popular?
Yes, working from home is becoming more and more popular, especially considering the rise of the coronavirus pandemic that has forced many workers to remain in quarantine. Back in 2017, the number of employees working from home in the United States was 8 million, or 5.2%, up from 5% the previous year and 3.3% from the year 2000. Based on the 2017 report by Gallup, companies managed to keep their workers by providing them with the option to work from home.
(QuartzAtWork)
What are the highest paying at-home jobs?
Based on findings by FlexJobs, experts in remote and telecommute work, the following are the seven highest-paying work-from-home jobs:
- Director of clinical regulatory affairs (salary: $150,000–$151,000)
- Supervisory attorney (salary: $117,000–$152,000)
- Senior medical writer (salary: $110,000–$115,000)
- Environmental engineer (salary: up to $110,000)
- Director of quality improvement (salary: $100,000–$175,000)
- Senior software engineer (salary: $100,000–$160,000)
- Director of business development (salary: $100,000–150,000)
Work from home statistics label these as the jobs with the highest income that you can easily do from home.
(BusinessInsider)
Sources:
- AfterCollege
- Airtasker
- American Hospital Association
- BBC
- BBC
- BLS
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- BusinessInsider
- BusinessNewsDaily
- Click Time
- CNBC
- COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports
- CRN
- Facility Executive
- Gartner
- Global Workplace Analytics
- HealthcareITNews
- NCBI
- Owl Labs
- Pew Research
- QuartzAtWork
- SiliconRepublic
- Stanford News
- Statista
- The Atlantic
- Upwork
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
