MARCO, the leading global communications and public relations agency, has presented the results of its 2025 International Consumer Survey, conducted in seven countries (Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, Mexico, and Brazil) with the participation of more than 4,500 consumers.
The study reveals a global consensus around the future of work: 73.6% of respondents believe that hybrid work will continue in the long term. This shift confirms that flexibility has become a permanent pillar of modern workplace culture, no longer a temporary measure but a structural expectation.
A new work paradigm based on balance
The survey shows that 42.8% of respondents prefer a hybrid model, combining the advantages of remote and in-office work. Another 26.8% favor a mostly remote setup, while only 17.6% still prefer full-time office presence.
Two-thirds (66.7%) of respondents say that hybrid work does not harm company culture or their connection with colleagues, dispelling fears about the erosion of workplace relationships.
When evaluating job offers, respondents ranked salary (8.3/10) and work-life balance (8.2/10) as top priorities, followed by interesting work (7.9/10) and career growth opportunities (7.7/10), highlighting how well-being and engagement now rival pay as key drivers of employment satisfaction.
The core of the active workforce and Europe lead the hybrid trend
The MARCO Survey 2025 shows that the 25–54 age group, representing the core of the active workforce, is driving the global embrace of hybrid work. Younger professionals aged 25–39 demonstrate stronger enthusiasm for remote-first models, while older workers (65+) show greater neutrality, often expressing no clear preference.
Regionally, Europe leads the hybrid trend. The country-by-country breakdown confirms that hybrid work is the preferred model across all European markets analyzed. Italy and Portugal lead this trend, with nearly half of respondents opting for a balanced combination of remote and in-office work (49% and 48%, respectively), followed by Spain, where 45% favor this model. In Germany and France, support for hybrid work is slightly lower (around 34% in both cases), yet it remains the most preferred option. Mostly remote work also enjoys significant backing, particularly in Portugal (31%) and Spain (27%), while a fully office-based model remains a minority choice in most countries, with relatively higher levels in France (26%) and Germany (22%). Germany also stands out for having the highest share of respondents with no clear preference (24%), reflecting a more pragmatic and flexible approach to work models.
In Latin America, the results reveal a different pattern. Brazil stands out with a strong preference for remote-first work, while Mexico shows a larger share favoring in-office work, reflecting cultural and infrastructural differences in workplace habits.
Across all seven markets, nearly 70% of respondents globally favor either hybrid or mostly remote work, confirming that flexibility is now the defining feature of modern employment.
Leadership in the Age of Flexibility
The study also examines leadership expectations in this new context. Respondents value accountability (8.5/10), problem-solving (8.3/10), and communication (8.3/10) as the most important traits in a leader. A remarkable 90.4% believe leaders should adapt their management style to individual team members’ needs, underscoring the growing importance of empathy and flexibility in management.
“The data confirms that flexibility is no longer a perk, but a fundamental expectation,” comments Kim Piquet, Chief Digital Officer at MARCO. “The future is defined by where we work, but by how leaders inspire connection and accountability across physical and digital spaces. Organizations that embrace this shift and build flexibility into their culture will be the ones that attract, retain, and empower the new generation of professionals.”
“The future of work belongs to organizations that put people at the center. Talent is drawn to environments where flexibility, purpose and growth go hand in hand. Companies that invest in empowering their people and nurturing trust will not only attract the best professionals, but also unlock their full potential,” concludes Carlos García, Head of Stakeholder Relations and Internal Comms.
Methodology:
The survey was conducted between May and June 2025 in seven countries. It covered various topics, such as work culture, hybrid working, social media consumption, sustainability, brand engagement, and leadership style.
A total of 4,598 people participated in the study in seven countries: the main European markets and the two main Latin American markets: France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil. The sample was obtained through random sampling, which ensured that it was representative of the general population in each country.
The data was collected through an online survey.
We analysed new consumer behaviors and anticipated the emerging needs of both customers and employees, while identifying trends in brand engagement across different markets. The approach supports business development and thought leadership initiatives, while validating the most effective formats for social media communication in order to build a stronger connection with target audiences.