Digitalization, remote working and employment: a focus on the Mediterranean region

The global health crisis triggered by COVID-19 has severely affected the countries of the Mediterranean basin. Digital technologies, however, proved to be crucial in mitigating the impact of the crisis, allowing economic and social activities in the Mediterranean region not to suffer abrupt slowdowns, especially in those countries equipped with infrastructures with a high level of connectivity. The pandemic crisis has been an important driver for digitalization pathways, so, in the years to come, investments in ICT infrastructure and digital technologies will be increasingly relevant alongside the adoption of specific policy measures aimed at addressing critical aspects related to digital transformation, such as the development of appropriate digital skills and the adoption of remote working programs. The chapter analyzes the current capacity of the Mediterranean countries to face the medium-long term consequences generated by the economic crisis following the pandemic outbreak in relation to the relative level of ICT development. Moreover, it examines the employment potential arising from the use of remote work for the various sectors of activity and in relation to their weight in the different economies of the region.