What Parts of The World Telecommute The Most?

February 22nd, 2012

A recent survey conducted by Ipsos/Reuters shows that Europe and North America are lagging behind when it comes to telecommuting. The survey polled 11,000 users from 24 countries around the world and it showed that 1 out of every 5 workers work from home all of the time or at least consistently.

Many would think that telecommuting might be most popular in regions like North America and Europe but that isn’t the case at all. Telework is actually most popular in regions with emerging markets.

Percentage of Workforce Telecommuting By Region

Middle East & Africa (27%)
Latin America (25%)
Asia-Pacific (24%)
Europe (9%)
North America (9%)

*India was the country with the greatest percentage of workers who telecommute with 82% telecommuting once a week and 57% telecommuting the majority of time.

The survey found that telecommuting was most popular in emerging markets. The fact that these markets are in fact in their emerging stages may play a key role in the higher percentage of workers telecommuting. By allowing these workers to telecommute- businesses are cutting costs and saving money, which is very important and attractive in the early stages of developing businesses.

Should Developed Markets Ignore Telework?

If emerging markets are enabling and allowing workers to telecommute to reduce costs, is it a practice that developed markets in regions like Europe and North America should ignore? The answer is absolutely not, and here is why.

Reduced Costs- Whether you are a developed market or an emerging one reduced costs and energy consumption for organizations is never a negative. By allowing employees to work from home an organization will reduce costs associated with their real estate and energy consumption improving their bottom line.
Increased Productivity- Multiple studies have shown that employees who telecommute are in fact more productive. Telecommuters claim that working out of the office cuts down on other distractions and allows them to complete their tasks more efficiently.
Better For The Environment- Telecommuting is better for the environment. By allowing employees to work from home, businesses are eliminating the commute to work, taking vehicles off of the road, and reducing carbon emissions.
Increased Ability To Hire & Retain Top Talent- Allowing employees to telecommute will increase an organization’s ability to acquire and retain top talent. Telecommuting opens up jobs to a wider range of candidates regardless of their location because they don’t have to be physically present at a desk. It is also a great way to keep employees that may otherwise retire or in some cases leave temporarily to raise children. The Reuters survey showed that 83% of respondents believed that telecommuting keeps talented female employees in the workforce.

Telework certainly shouldn’t be limited to emerging markets and new businesses. It is a practice that can really be utilized across the board. In the U.S. the Federal Government is really taking the lead on telework. Over the past couple of years the Telework Enhancement Act has been passed requiring federal agencies to have telecommuting plans and policies in place.