How common is remote work in 2025/2026, and how has this changed since the pandemic?

Around 28 percent of employees work from home on an average day in 2025/2026, and this level has remained stable in recent years. Remote work usage is significantly higher than before the pandemic and appears to be a lasting part of working life.

When companies evaluate their office needs, it is helpful to understand actual attendance patterns. At Spacefinder, we often hear that many employees work from home regularly, yet few businesses have a clear overview of which days the office is used most or least. Still, many are interested in knowing whether they could downsize their office or benefit from more flexible solutions.

Remote work as an established work model

An analysis from UNION, based on visitor data from more than 100 canteens operated by Compass Group in Oslo, shows that office attendance remains significantly lower than before the pandemic. The numbers compare 2023, 2024, and 2025 with 2019, and the trend is clear: offices are used less—and differently—than they used to be.

What the data shows

• 28 percent fewer canteen visitors compared to 2019
• Fridays have 36 percent lower attendance than before the pandemic
• Attendance has remained consistently low through 2023–2025

With such a large dataset, these numbers provide a representative picture of actual presence in the workplace. This means that around 28 percent of the workforce works from home on an average day.

No clear ripple effects from U.S. return-to-office policies

Several international companies, particularly in the United States, have tightened their remote work policies. So far, we see no clear impact of this in Norway. Norwegian companies continue to embrace hybrid models, and employees expect flexibility as a natural part of their workday.

What does this mean for office strategy?

With such a large share of employees working from home at least one day a week, many businesses find it relevant to reassess whether their office space is appropriately sized. This may include exploring:

• Smaller office solutions
• Activity-based workspace layouts
• Flexible or hybrid office models

Spacefinder supports companies with free advisory services and a structured office search, making it easier to make informed decisions based on actual needs and usage patterns.

About the author

This article was written by Lauritz Kittelsen, advisor at Spacefinder. He specializes in office leasing and helps small and medium-sized businesses find the right office space—both strategically and financially—across the Oslo area. Need help finding your next office? Get in touch today.