This report from the Oxford Martin School explores the remote revolution, finding a robust relationship between the increase in remote work and cities with a lower cost of living. It notes that job creation since the computer revolution of the 1980s was highly concentrated to a few supercities resulting in a marked increase in regional inequality. However, a surge in collaborative technology during the pandemic has facilitated remote work as jobs shift to secondary hubs and locations where housing and labour is cheaper. The report explores the implications of this new geography of work, including a reduction in regional inequality within countries, intensification of competition for talent around the world, and an increase in total welfare for the average worker via lower cost-of-living and less commuting.
Click here for the full report.