Europe’s Commute Takes 48 Minutes A Day, With Belgium Leading At 61

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 8, 2026

For millions of Europeans, commuting is more than a daily routine. New research from SD Worx shows workers across the continent spend an average of 48 minutes a day traveling to and from work, with major differences between countries.

A Continent Divided By Distance And Infrastructure

Workers in Italy and Slovenia have some of Europe’s shortest commutes, averaging around 35 minutes a day. Sweden and Ireland are at the other end, with average journeys of 57 and 56 minutes respectively.

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Belgium has the longest commute in the survey at 61 minutes, making it the only country to exceed one hour. Long-distance travel is a major factor: 13% of Belgian workers are “super-commuters” who spend at least two hours traveling to work, while 14% travel more than 120 kilometers a day.

The Same Commute Time Can Reflect Different Realities

The Netherlands and Romania both report an average commute of 53 minutes, but the distance covered is very different. Dutch workers travel an average of 63 kilometers, while in Romania, congestion and urban bottlenecks account for more of the journey time.

The comparison shows that commute time reflects not only distance, but also infrastructure, urban planning and the efficiency of daily mobility systems.

Long Commutes Do Not Always Feel Like Wasted Time

In Belgium, where the average commute exceeds the 57-minute threshold many people consider acceptable, only 34% of workers say their travel time is wasted. Some employees may accept longer journeys in exchange for higher pay, preferred roles, flexibility or location.

Despite Belgium’s lengthy travel times, demand for more remote work stands at 32%, slightly below the international average. Commute length alone, therefore, does not determine how much flexibility workers want.

What The Data Says About Work, Geography And Choice

Across Europe, commuting reflects a combination of geographic constraints, transport infrastructure and personal preferences. The figures show that the journey to work is shaped as much by national systems as by individual circumstances.

A commute is therefore more than a measure of distance. It also shows how countries organize work and mobility, and how workers navigate the trade-offs those systems create.

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Cyprus’ Strong Youth Employment Rate Still Does Not Guarantee Early Independence

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 16, 2026

Young people in Cyprus have a relatively high employment rate, but they leave the parental home later than the EU average, according to Eurostat data.

Cypriots left home at an average age of 27 in 2025, compared with 26.3 years across the EU. At the same time, 72.3% of people aged 20 to 29 in Cyprus were employed, well above the EU average of 65.5%.

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Strong Employment Does Not Mean Early Independence

Only nine countries recorded higher youth employment rates than Cyprus. Iceland led at 85.3%, followed by the Netherlands at 84%, Malta at 82.1%, Switzerland at 78.3% and Germany at 77%.

Norway recorded 76.5%, Ireland 76.1%, Denmark 74.8% and Austria 74.6%. Eurostat said countries where young people leave home earlier generally tend to have higher youth employment rates.

Southern Europe Sees Later Moves

Finland had the lowest average age for leaving the parental home at 21.4 years, followed by Denmark at 21.8 and Estonia and Lithuania at 22.7. Croatia recorded the highest average at 31.5 years, followed by Greece and Slovakia at 30.9. Spain and Italy both stood at 30.2 years.

Across the EU, the average has remained close to 26 since 2002, rising only slightly from 26.2 years in 2024 to 26.3 years in 2025.

Cyprus Labour Market Is Cooling

The figures come as Cyprus’ labor market shows some signs of easing, although demand for workers remains relatively strong by European standards.

Separate Eurostat data showed Cyprus had the EU’s largest annual decline in its job vacancy rate in the second quarter of 2026. The rate fell to 2.6% from 3.3% a year earlier, but remained above the EU average of 2.0% and the euro area average of 2.1%.

Cost Of Living Remains A Factor

Housing and other living costs can also affect how quickly young workers establish independent households. Eurostat reported that Cyprus’ household consumption price level was 89.2% of the EU average in 2025.

A relatively lower overall price level does not eliminate affordability pressures for people on modest incomes. For younger workers, the issue can be whether wages are sufficient to cover rent, utilities, food and other basic expenses.

Cyprus therefore combines relatively high youth employment with a later transition to independent living, suggesting that access to work and the ability to afford a separate household do not always move together.

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