Eurofound maps telework prevalence by occupation and sector across 35 countries

Eurofound has released new data visualisations from the European Working Conditions Survey 2024, covering 36,600+ interviews across 35 countries. The dataset breaks down telework prevalence by occupation, sector, and country — providing the most granular picture yet of who works remotely in Europe and in which industries.

Why this matters

This is the data that settles arguments. When someone claims “remote work is only for tech workers,” this dataset shows the actual distribution across sectors. When governments design telework frameworks, this is the evidence base they should be using.

The survey arrives at a critical moment. The EU Commission is proposing mandatory telework days as energy policy, the ETUC is pushing for enforceable telework legislation, and Gallup’s engagement data shows European workers are the least engaged globally. Understanding which occupations and sectors have the highest telework prevalence helps identify where flexible work policies will have the greatest impact — and where resistance is most likely to be felt.

For remote workers and employers, the sectoral breakdown is particularly useful for benchmarking. If your industry shows high telework prevalence across Europe, that strengthens the case for flexible arrangements in your own organisation.