UK falls behind in European workplace productivity rankings

New research reveals stark disparities in workplace productivity across Europe, with Spain leading the charge while the UK and Ireland trail behind.

The study, conducted by Opinion Matters for Ricoh Europe, surveyed 7,000 workers and 1,800 decision-makers across Europe (UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands) and underscores the impact of inadequate workplace technology on productivity, particularly in France, Germany and the UK and Ireland.

Spain stands out as Europe’s most productive nation, with 92 per cent of employees reporting high productivity and an unproductivity rate of just four per cent. The eurozone’s fourth-biggest economy, Spain’s GDP grew 3.2 per cent last year. In contrast, the UK’s economy grew just 0.9 per cent, meanwhile the UK and Ireland ranks lowest for workplace productivity, where employees are more than twice as likely to consider themselves unproductive (9%), compared to their Spanish counterparts.

The findings demonstrate the critical role of modern technology in workplace productivity. In the UK and Ireland, just one in four (28 per cent) employees feel equipped with the necessary technology for seamless collaboration, the lowest figure among surveyed countries. France and Germany also face significant challenges, with a quarter (22 per cent and 27 per cent respectively) of business leaders citing outdated technology as a leading barrier to employee productivity.

Employees across Europe are calling for better workplace technology to improve productivity. When asked what would enhance their productivity, 40 per cent point to better document management software, which allows for collaboration between users of a digital document and over a third to communication and collaboration tools (37 per cent) and automation software (36 per cent).

Caroline Bright, Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer of Ricoh Europe, commented: “The productivity gap across Europe should be a wake-up call for business leaders. When Spanish workers are more than twice as likely to be productive as their UK counterparts, we must ask ourselves why. Our research shows that equipping employees with the right technology is essential for unlocking their full potential and driving productivity.

“As workplace dynamics evolve and businesses renew their focus on the office, it’s more important than ever to provide employees with the tools they need to operate and collaborate effectively. As a leader helping to navigate our own strategic transformation, I understand the challenges that businesses face first-hand. But the good news is that the solutions are within reach. Those who act now to modernise their workplace technology will be best positioned to close the productivity gap and empower their teams to perform at their best and thrive in a competitive market.”