Average commuting times vary across Europe, with Southern European countries like Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, and Italy having the shortest commutes to work according to the EU’s statistics office, Eurostat. On the other hand, countries like Latvia, Hungary, and Luxembourg have longer average commute times. The EU average one-way commuting time in 2019 was 25 minutes.
As working remotely becomes more significant, with many companies offering remote work options, the impact of COVID-19 on commuting habits is notable. Many employees are spending less time commuting and more time working from home. However, some employers are calling staff back to the office full-time, like Amazon recently did by ending its hybrid work policy.
Recent research shows that longer commute times are linked to lower well-being and that individuals who work remotely due to the pandemic spend a significant portion of their saved time on work-related activities. On the other hand, satisfaction levels with public transportation across European cities vary significantly.
Overall, the trends in commuting time and remote work in Europe are undergoing a historic transformation, with more people exploring options that offer better work-life balance and reduced commuting stress. Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve as the impact of COVID-19 continues to shape the future of work in Europe.
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