WFH Emerges as Likely Driver Behind America's Productivity Boom

Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom argues that working from home is a key, underappreciated driver of the U.S. productivity surge over the last five years, boosting focus, cutting commutes, and expanding the labor pool while encouraging entrepreneurship. The productivity rebound predates AI tools, and although many firms push for a return-to-office, broader data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show solid, ongoing gains; some critics cite other factors like better digital tools and a stronger labor market, but Bloom maintains the data link WFH with higher productivity growth.