Return to the Office: How London Compares to Other Global Cities, and Why This Matters

Rob Johnson; Oscar Selby

The report explores the post-pandemic shift back to office-based work in central London, comparing it to five other global cities: Paris, New York, Singapore, Sydney, and Toronto. The study finds that despite predictions of a permanent shift to remote work, many workers are returning to offices, with significant variations between cities. Central London has seen a modest increase in office attendance, rising from 2.2 to 2.7 days per week since 2023, though it still lags behind Paris and New York. The report suggests that both employers and employees increasingly recognize the benefits of in-person work, particularly in terms of collaboration and productivity. However, London remains one of the cities with the lowest in-office attendance, raising concerns about its long-term economic competitiveness. The report emphasizes the importance of continued investment in commuter infrastructure and strategic policy interventions to encourage a fuller return to office-based work, which is seen as crucial for maintaining productivity and the benefits of agglomeration in high-skilled industries. The findings highlight the potential risks to younger workers' development if the trend toward remote work continues to dominate.