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US Productivity Rebound Driven by Remote Work, Stanford Economist

5/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom says remote work drove the recent U.S. productivity rebound.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data show nonfarm business productivity rose 5.3% in 2020, fell 1.5% in 2022, and climbed to 2.2% in 2025.
Total factor productivity grew 1% annually 2019-2025, faster than the 0.6% pace 2007-2019.
Critics cite return-to-office mandates at Amazon, JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs as proof that in-person collaboration still matters.

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Story summary

Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom says remote work drove the recent U.S. productivity rebound.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data show nonfarm business productivity rose 5.3% in 2020, fell 1.5% in 2022, and climbed to 2.2% in 2025.
Total factor productivity grew 1% annually 2019-2025, faster than the 0.6% pace 2007-2019.
Critics cite return-to-office mandates at Amazon, JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs as proof that in-person collaboration still matters.