Some telecommuting (work at home/remote working) statistics (mainly for the US economy). More than 2% of the US workforce or about 3 million people telecommute.
http://undress4success.com/research/telecommuting-statistics/
http://www.worldatwork.org/waw/adimLink?id=31295&from=presshome
http://www.workingfromanywhere.org/
Savings when you work from home – http://www.inc.com/staff-blog/2010/02/going_virtual_b.html
Unlike a conventional office job, your looks or how you dress do not determine your success when you telecommute, your skills and knowledge of your area of specialization matters.