| Spain has taken the top spot in Europe with the highest workplace productivity, with 92% of Spanish employees reporting high productivity. |
According to a recent study conducted by Ricoh Europe for workplace experience and digital services company Ricoh Europe, Spain is followed closely by Italy, Netherlands, France, Germany, UK, and Ireland.
- 92% of Spanish employees reported high productivity
- 4% of Spanish employees were considered unproductive
- 9% of UK and Irish employees considered themselves unproductive
- 22% of French business leaders cited outdated technology as a barrier to productivity
- 27% of German business leaders cited outdated technology as a barrier to productivity
- 40% of surveyed employees desired better document management software
- 37% of employees wanted collaboration and communication tools
- 36% of employees wanted better automation software
Many European businesses continue to struggle with modernizing their workplace technology, which is crucial for employee productivity. A staggering 22% of French business leaders cited outdated technology as a barrier to productivity, while 27% of German business leaders shared the same sentiment.
According to the study, Spain has an unproductivity rate of only 4%, while 9% of UK and Irish employees are considered unproductive.
The study, which surveyed 1,800 decision-makers and 7,000 workers across Europe, highlighted the importance of bridging the technology gap in the current economic climate. Caroline Bright, chief strategy and commercial officer of Ricoh Europe, pointed out that the productivity gap across Europe should be a wake-up call for business leaders.
She emphasized that businesses need to provide employees with the tools they need to operate and collaborate effectively in the current economic climate. Caroline Bright stated that “the solutions are within reach”, and that 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.
Despite this, Spanish unemployment has jumped to 11.4% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 10.6% in the previous quarter, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE). This was ahead of analyst expectations of 10.7%, while also being the highest number in a year. The number of people without jobs rose by 193,700 to 2.8 million in the first quarter of 2025, whereas employment dropped by 92,500 to 21.8 million. The working population also advanced by 101,200, touching 24.6 million. In the first three months of the year, there were 116,500 more women without jobs, along with 77,200 more unemployed men. The services sector lost 124,900 jobs, while 13,700 jobs were slashed in the construction sector. 21,100 industrial jobs were also reduced, along with 4,500 agricultural jobs. Spain’s rising unemployment could point towards the country’s heavy dependence on cyclical industries such as hospitality and tourism, as well as lingering caution among employers due to ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty. The productivity gap refers to the difference between the number of employees working productively and the number of employees who are not. In Spain, for instance, only 4% of the workforce is considered unproductive, which is the lowest rate among the studied countries. This difference can have a significant impact on the economy, as productive employees contribute to gross domestic product (GDPM) and tax revenue. In other words, countries with a larger productivity gap may experience economic growth at a slower rate. Caroline Bright, chief strategy and commercial officer of Ricoh Europe, emphasized that businesses need to provide employees with the tools they need to operate and collaborate effectively in the current economic climate. She stated that “the solutions are within reach”, and that businesses 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.Productivity Gap: What It Means
What Can Business Leaders Do
The Importance of Bridging the Technology Gap
According to Caroline Bright, bridging the technology gap is crucial for businesses to remain competitive.
She pointed out that modernising the workplace technology can improve productivity, reduce costs, and enhance employee engagement.
Furthermore, Caroline Bright emphasized that technology is not just about business efficiency, but also about employee well-being and care.
The Need for Better Collaboration Tools
The study also highlighted the importance of better collaboration tools.
40% of surveyed employees wanted better document management software.
37% of employees cited collaboration and communication tools as key to enhanced productivity.
36% of employees wanted better automation software.
The study found that many European businesses continue to struggle with modernizing their workplace technology, which is crucial for employee productivity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study by Ricoh Europe highlights the importance of bridging the technology gap for businesses to remain competitive in the current economic climate.
It is essential for business leaders to provide their employees with the tools they need to operate and collaborate effectively.
