Freelancing is no longer a niche—it’s the future of work.
Remote work, changes from the pandemic, and new technologies like AI have turned freelancing into a major way people earn a living. These shifts give freelancers more choices and freedom. Businesses need to adapt to keep up.
In this article, we’ll break down the key statistics and trends, showing how freelancing is evolving and what it means for your business.
Top 41+ Freelance Statistics (Editor’s Picks)
We’ve handpicked 41+ of the latest freelance statistics, facts, and trends. Here are 6 that we believe will blow you away.
| 1 | Freelancers make up 46.6% of the global workforce |
| 2 | The freelance economy has grown 15x faster than the traditional job market |
| 3 | Freelancers around the world charge an average of $21 per hour |
| 4 | 66% of freelancers say finding enough work is their biggest challenge |
| 5 | Freelancers will make up the majority of the workforce by 2027 |
| 6 | There are over 18 million registered freelancers on Upwork |
Key Freelance Statistics
Freelancers make up 46.6% of the global workforce (Worldbank)
Freelancers now represent 46.6% of the global workforce, with 1.57 billion people working independently out of 3.38 billion. In the U.S., 58% of workers who haven’t freelanced are considering it for the future.
The gig economy has grown 15x faster than the traditional job market (Zippia)
Between 2010 and 2020, the U.S. job market grew by 1.1%, while the gig economy grew by 15%. In 2020 alone, 23 million new gig workers joined the U.S. workforce.
More than 70% of freelancers find jobs through online markets and gig websites (Payoneer)
Over 70% of freelancers find work through gig websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal. These platforms play an important role in helping freelancers connect with clients and grow their careers.
There are over 18 million registered freelancers on Upwork (DDIY)
Upwork has more than 18 million registered freelancers, making it the largest freelance platform in 2024.
36% of freelancers work 10 to 20 hours a week on freelance jobs (Calendar)
About 36.1% of freelancers work 10 to 20 hours a week. Full-time freelancers work around 43 hours per week, similar to a regular job but with more flexible schedules.
Here’s a breakdown of the time freelancers spend working in a week:
| Number of hours | Percentage of Freelancers |
| More than 30 hours | 28.6% |
| 21 to 30 hours | 19.5% |
| 10 to 20 hours | 36.1% |
| Less than 10 hours | 15.9% |
54% of freelancers work five days a week (FreelancerMap)
About 54% of freelancers work five days a week. Meanwhile, 3 in 10 freelancers work more than five days each week.
Here’s a breakdown of how many days per week freelancers prefer to work:
| Number of Working Days | Percentage of Freelancers |
| 5 Days | 54% |
| 4 Days | 12% |
| More than 5 Days | 27% |
| Less than 4 Days | 8% |
66% of freelancers say finding enough work is their biggest challenge (Remote.com)
Around 66% of freelancers find it challenging to get enough work. Many prefer regular jobs because they offer more income stability than freelancing.
These are the main challenges of freelancing, based on what employees say:
| Reason | Percentage of Freelancers |
| Finding enough work | 66% |
| Managing an irregular income | 62% |
| Managing irregular work | 60% |
| Managing expectations with clients | 60% |
| Clients not paying | 59% |
| Self-motivation | 59% |
| Time management | 58% |
| Additional costs to work for yourself | 57% |
| Filing taxes | 57% |
| Being your own boss | 56% |
Freelance Statistics by Region
There are about 76.4 million freelancers in the US (Upwork)
The number of freelancers in the US grew from 73.3 million in 2023 to an estimated 76.4 million in 2024.
There are around 4.39 million freelancers in the UK (Statista)
In the UK, about 4.39 million people work as full-time freelancers. This number has decreased from over 5 million in 2020 but increased from 3.3 million in 2002. Freelancers in the UK contribute £162 billion to the economy.
The number of freelancers in France, Germany, and Spain totals around 3 million (Malt + BCG)
France, Germany, and Spain have a combined total of about 3 million freelancers. France has seen a 92% increase since 2009, while Spain has grown by 40%. In contrast, Germany has experienced a 7% drop in freelance workers over the same period.
Africa is home to just over 10% of the global freelance workforce (Africa.com)
Africa makes up 10.1% of the world’s freelancers. This number is expected to grow in the coming years as freelancing continues to expand.
84% of hiring managers in the Asia Pacific outsource to freelancers (The ASEAN Post)
Asia’s freelance economy is growing fast. According to a recent survey, 84% of hiring managers in the Asia Pacific have outsourced work to freelancers. The same survey found that companies that hire freelancers save 20%+ in labor costs.
The Philippines has the fastest-growing freelance economy in the world (Payoneer)
In 2020, the Philippines’ freelance economy grew by 208%, the highest rate globally. India saw 160% growth, and Japan followed with 87%, making the Philippines the leader in freelance growth.
There are 15 million freelancers in India (Payoneer)
India has 15 million freelancers, a small part of its total population of 1.38 billion. Freelancing remains a growing and significant part of the workforce.
There are an estimated 3.4 million freelancers in Japan (Japan Times)
Japan has about 3.4 million freelancers, making up 5% of the workforce. Freelancing is less common due to a preference for full-time jobs, but this could be changing as work culture evolves.
Around 46% of China’s workforce is self-employed (World Bank)
Nearly 46.5% of China’s workforce is self-employed, according to estimates by the ILO. In many economically developing areas, the high rate of self-employment is likely due to limited full-time job opportunities.
Now, let’s take a look at freelancer earnings across different regions:
Freelance Income Statistics
Freelancers around the world charge an average of $21 per hour (Payoneer)
The global average hourly rate for freelancers is $21, up from $19 two years ago. Rates vary widely, ranging from $1 to $100 per hour, depending on factors like experience, education, location, and demand for specific skills.
Freelancers offering skilled services earn $28 hour (Payoneer)
Freelancers in areas like web development, marketing, legal, and accounting earn about $28 per hour. This is higher than 70% of hourly wages in the U.S., showing the value of skilled freelance work.
60% of freelancers earn more than they did in their old jobs (DDIY)
About 60% of freelancers make more money than they did in their previous jobs. This shows that freelancing can be more financially rewarding than traditional work.
55% of freelancers make less than $50,000 annually (Statista)
More than half of gig workers, about 55%, earn less than $50,000 per year. Many do not rely on gig work as their main source of income, showing that financial goals vary for these workers.
50% of freelancers have not been paid on time or at all (Moxie)
Half of freelancers have experienced late or missed payments from employers. Irregular income is a major issue for freelancers, with 40% of business owners also feeling the negative effects of late payments.
44% of freelancers rely on their work as their primary source of income (Zippia)
About 44% of freelancers depend on freelancing as their main income. Of this group, 45% report high levels of economic anxiety, reflecting the financial stress many face in the gig economy.
64% of freelancers say no amount of money will make them return to a 9-5 job (Heritage)
About 64% of freelancers say they wouldn’t go back to a traditional 9-5 job, no matter the pay. Laws like AB5, which aim to increase regular employment, have led to a 27.9% drop in self-employment in fields where freelancing is common.
Freelancer Demographics Statistics
52.3% of freelancers are women, and 47.7% are men (Zippia)
The freelance workforce is made up of 52.3% women and 47.7% men, showing a nearly even gender distribution.
52% of Gen Z professionals perform freelance work (DDIY)
In 2024, 52% of Gen Z professionals took on freelance work. This highlights the increasing trend of younger workers choosing freelancing over traditional jobs.
Over two-thirds of freelancers globally are under the age of 35 (Payoneer)
Nearly 70% of the global freelance workforce is made up of people under the age of 35, with Millennials and Gen Z representing the largest share.
Here’s a breakdown of the average hourly freelancer wage per age group:
| Freelancer Age | Average Hourly Wage |
| 18-24 | $16 |
| 25-34 | $19 |
| 34-44 | $24 |
| 45-54 | $27 |
| 55-64 | $36 |
| Over 65 | $34 |
Only 16% of freelancers have access to retirement plans (Zippia)
Only 16% of freelancers have access to retirement plans, compared to 52% of traditional employees. Additionally, 38% of gig workers say they can’t save for retirement because they don’t earn enough.
70% of freelancers in the United States are White (Zippia)
Most freelancers in the U.S., about 70.2%, are White, but they tend to earn the lowest annual income. Asian freelancers make up 10.4% of the freelance workforce and have the highest average earnings.
Here’s a breakdown of the racial demographics of freelancers in the US:
| Freelancer Race | Percentage of Freelancers |
| White | 70.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 10.6% |
| Asian | 10.4% |
| Unknown | 5.0% |
| Black or African American | 3.4% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.4% |
Popular Freelance Jobs
82% of U.S. freelancers are content writers (Zippia)
In the U.S., 82% of freelancers work as content writers. Writing is a popular choice because it’s a skill that’s easy to learn, requiring basic grammar and content structure. With most online content in English, many U.S. freelancers focus on this area.
55% of U.S. entertainment workers are freelancers (Legiit)
In the U.S., 55% of entertainment workers freelance. Freelancing in entertainment can lead to ongoing royalties for work like viral ads. However, success in this field often depends on creativity and the ability to engage an audience.
75% of workers in the art and design industry are freelancers (Team Stage)
In the art and design industry, 75% of workers are freelancers. Many choose freelancing to have more creative freedom than they would in an office. Graphic designers, for example, can earn up to $150 per hour in this field.
55% of workers in construction are freelancers (Team Stage)
In the construction industry, 55% of workers are freelancers. Many offer services like design, rendering, and consultations. This field requires specialized skills and can provide strong earning potential for freelancers.
50% of U.S. freelancers provide skilled services (Upwork)
Half of U.S. freelancers offer skilled services. To earn higher incomes, many focus on specialized work rather than basic tasks like data entry. Having a skill is important for competing in the freelance market.
Freelancing Work-Life Balance Statistics
Only 4% of freelancers work on more than 10 projects at a time (Legiit)
Only 4% of freelancers handle more than 10 projects at once, even during busy periods. This suggests that most freelancers manage their workload carefully to avoid being overwhelmed.
7% of millennials prefer freelancing on their own schedule (WeWork)
About 7% of millennials choose freelancing so they can set their own schedules. This flexibility allows them to manage their time while still meeting client needs when necessary.
84% of full-time freelancers are satisfied with their current position (Forbes)
About 84% of full-time freelancers are happy with their current roles. They value the control they have over their work-life balance and the ability to choose their own projects.
68% of freelancers say their quality of life has improved (Website Planet)
About 68% of freelancers say their quality of life has improved since they began freelancing. Another 23% say it has stayed the same, while only 9% report that it has worsened. Most freelancers feel good about their work-life balance.
Freelancing Trends
30% of Fortune 500 companies hire through freelancing platforms (Forbes)
It’s not just startups using freelancing platforms—30% of Fortune 500 companies are actively looking for talent on platforms like Genius. Many of these companies hire freelancers quietly, without drawing much attention to it.
The number of U.S. freelancers is projected to reach 90 million by 2028 (Statista)
By 2028, the U.S. freelance workforce is expected to grow to 90 million. While this increase will bring more competition, it also highlights the growing demand for freelance talent.
Freelancers will make up the majority of the workforce by 2027 (Statista)
By 2027, freelancers are expected to make up 50.9% of the U.S. workforce, becoming the majority of the working population. This shift highlights the growing trend toward flexible and independent work.
86% of freelancers work from home (Website Planet)
About 86% of freelancers work from home, enjoying the freedom from commuting and fixed hours. Some choose to work in coffee shops or coworking spaces to avoid distractions like noise or poor internet at home.
Conclusion
Freelancing is changing how people work.
With 1.57 billion freelancers making up 46.6% of the workforce, this shift is clear. The gig economy is growing much faster than regular jobs, and by 2027, freelancers will make up most of the U.S. workforce.
As this trend continues, businesses must adapt to keep up. Freelancing offers access to skilled workers and flexible solutions that are becoming more important for the future. Companies that recognize this shift will be in a better position to succeed in a changing workforce.
FAQ
How many freelancers are there worldwide?
There are approximately 1.57 billion freelancers globally, making up 46.7% of the workforce.
What industries have the most freelancers?
The arts and design industry has the highest proportion of freelancers, followed by marketing and tech.
What challenges do freelancers face?
Finding enough work is the biggest challenge, with 66% of freelancers citing this as their main issue.
What is the average hourly rate for freelancers?
Freelancers charge an average of $21 per hour globally, with skilled freelancers earning more.
What are the demographics of freelancers?
Globally, over two-thirds of freelancers are under the age of 35, with 52.3% being women and 47.7% men.
