The Netherlands stands out as the European leader in remote work, according to a recent report by Statistics Netherlands (CBS). However, the study also reveals a shift in work patterns, with

most Dutch workers engaging in remote work only on an occasional basis.

In 2023, more than half of Dutch workers (52%) reported working from home at some point, surpassing all other EU member states. Yet, the report notes a decrease in the number of workers primarily engaged in remote work.

Between 2021 and 2023, the number of individuals primarily working from home decreased by over 600,000 to 1.3 million. Conversely, those occasionally working from home increased by nearly 700,000 to 3.8 million.

This trend suggests a growing preference for hybrid work models in the Netherlands. While employees value the flexibility of remote work, many also appreciate aspects of the traditional office environment, such as collaboration and social interaction.

The report does not explicitly address the reasons behind the shift towards occasional remote work. Possible factors may include the easing of pandemic restrictions, a preference for in-person collaboration, or a lack of adequate infrastructure for full-time remote work in certain sectors.

Furthermore, the report highlights discrepancies across professions. Individuals in IT, creative, or linguistic fields are most likely to engage in remote work frequently, with 9 in 10 doing so at least occasionally in 2023. Conversely, workers in service, transport, or logistics sectors reported the lowest rates of remote work.

Despite the decline in full-time remote work, the Netherlands maintains its position as the EU leader in overall remote work adoption. On average, Dutch workers spend nearly two full working days (15 hours) per week working from home, accounting for almost 20% of all hours worked in the country.

Self-employed individuals report the highest proportion of home-based work hours (30%), while employees average slightly over 17 percent.

Comparatively, in 2022, roughly 10.2 percent of all EU workers between 15 and 65 years of age mostly worked from home, with another 12.2 percent doing so less frequently.

While Ireland led in the highest rate of employees usually working from home in 2022, the Netherlands surpassed all Member States with 39.2 percent reporting occasional remote work. This figure far exceeded other countries, demonstrating the Netherlands' strong commitment to remote work flexibility Photo by Deinsam, Wikimedia commons.