South Korea’s remote work culture continues to trail behind global trends, according to a recent Stanford University survey. The study assessed weekly remote work hours across 40 major countries. It found that South Korean workers spend the least time working from home among all surveyed nations.
The Stanford research team gathered data from 16,000 college graduates around the world. According to their findings, South Koreans work remotely for only 0.5 days per week. This number placed South Korea at the very bottom of the rankings.
Canada led the global chart with employees working from home for 1.9 days weekly. The United Kingdom followed closely with 1.8 days, while the United States recorded 1.6 days. Other countries such as Germany, India, and Nigeria also showed higher averages.
In East Asia, South Korea’s remote work culture remains more rigid compared to neighboring nations. Japan posted 0.7 days of remote work, while China reported 0.6 days. These figures, although slightly better, still reflect a region-wide resistance to remote work.
Cultural differences play a critical role in shaping these patterns. The Stanford researchers pointed out that individualistic societies usually promote autonomy and trust in the workplace. In these environments, managers are more likely to approve remote work. On the other hand, collectivist cultures, like South Korea’s, often favor in-person collaboration and visibility.
Additionally, South Korea’s remote work culture is shaped by traditional corporate hierarchies. Many workplaces emphasize face-to-face supervision and formal structures. This mindset discourages flexible work arrangements and keeps employees in the office.
Despite advancements in technology, many South Korean companies still resist change. They continue to rely on old-fashioned practices that limit remote work opportunities. As global work cultures evolve, South Korea may face pressure to adapt.
For now, South Korea’s remote work culture remains behind the global curve. As more countries embrace flexible work, South Korean firms may need to rethink their approach.
