5 ways remote work is changing the economy for the better Bruno DE HOGUES/Getty Images When the economy fully reopens, the pandemic-era revolution in remote work will likely add fuel to it. A major factor underlying the great economic potential of reopening lies with how the pandemic ushered in an era of remote work, which is likely here to stay to some extent in a post-pandemic world. More than two-thirds of professionals were working remotely during the peak of the pandemic, according to a new report by work marketplace Upwork, and over the next five years, 20% to 25% of professionals will likely be working remotely.