Recent data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reveals a continuing, albeit evolving, prevalence of remote work in Germany following the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately a quarter (24%) of employed individuals engaged in some form of home-based work at least occasionally during 2024.
This figure demonstrates a sustained level of adoption mirroring those seen in 2023 (23%) and 2022 (24%), a significant shift from pre-pandemic times when just 13% of the workforce utilized home offices in 2019.
However, the extent of remote work has diminished compared to the peak years of the pandemic. In 2024, only 24% of home office users worked exclusively from home, down from 26% in 2023 and a high of 40% in 2021.
Conversely, the proportion of employees conducting work from home fewer than half the time has increased. Nearly half (46%) of those utilizing home offices now work at their primary workplace as often or more frequently than they do from home, a rise from 44% in 2023 and 31% in 2021.
The adoption of home offices is strongly linked to commuting distance. Employees whose workplaces are located 50 kilometers or more from their residences exhibit the highest rates of remote work, with 42% utilizing it at least occasionally in 2024. This contrasts with 29% for those whose workplaces are 25 to under 50 kilometers away and just 14% for those whose workplaces are less than five kilometers from their homes.
Comparing figures to 2020, the most substantial increases in home office adoption are observed among employees with longer commutes. The proportion of employees commuting 50 or more kilometers rose by eight percentage points (reaching 34% in 2020), while those commuting 25 to under 50 kilometers saw an increase of six percentage points (rising to 23% in 2020). This trend may be partly attributable to employees opting for longer commutes, offset by the flexibility offered through remote work options.
The prevalence of home offices also correlates with age. Employees aged 35 to 44 (29%) and 25 to 34 (28%) were the most likely to utilize remote work in 2024. This could be linked to the need for childcare arrangements. The lowest rates of home office use were found among individuals aged 15 to 24 (11%).
Germany’s rate of home-based work in 2024 marginally exceeded the EU average. Across the 27 member states of the European Union, an average of 23% of employed individuals aged 15 and over engaged in occasional remote work. Countries displaying the highest proportion of home workers include the Netherlands (52%), Sweden (46%) and Luxembourg (43%), while Bulgaria (3%), Romania (4%) and Greece (8%) saw the lowest rates.