More people are choosing freelancing over the traditional 9-to-5 job.
Freelancing offers flexibility and control that full-time jobs don’t. This shift is changing how people work and how industries operate.
In this article, we’ll explore the number of freelancers by country and industry to see how this trend is growing worldwide.
Top 38+ Freelancer Statistics (Editor’s Picks)
We’ve handpicked 38+ of the latest number of freelancer statistics, facts, and trends. Here are 6 that we believe will blow you away.
| 1 | Approximately 1.57 billion people in the global workforce are freelancers |
| 2 | There are about 76.4 million freelancers in the US |
| 3 | There are around 4.39 million freelancers in the UK |
| 4 | Africa is home to just over 10% of the global freelance workforce |
| 5 | The number of U.S. freelancers is projected to reach 90 million by 2028 |
| 6 | The global freelance platform market is valued at $6.56 billion |
How Many Freelancers Are There
Approximately 1.57 billion people in the global workforce are freelancers (Techreport)
More than 1.57 billion workers worldwide are now freelancers. This makes up 46.7% of the global workforce, reflecting the growing trend toward self-employment and flexible work.
Let’s look at how the percentage of employees doing freelance work has changed over the years:
| Year | Percentage of Employees That Freelance |
| 2024 | 46.7% |
| 2021 | 47.0% |
| 2015 | 48.2% |
| 2010 | 51.6% |
| 2005 | 53.9% |
| 2000 | 55.5% |
| 1999 | 55.7% |
| 1991 | 55.2% |
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. This shows the steady rise of freelancing in the workforce.
The freelance industry in the United States has grown by 78% (Demandsage)
The freelance industry in the U.S. has grown by 78%, showing the rise in people choosing flexible work options. This growth reflects a significant shift in the American workforce.
Here’s the breakdown of the countries with the highest YoY earning growth rates for freelancers:
| Country | YoY Earning Growth Rate |
| United States | 78% |
| United Kingdom | 59% |
| Brazil | 48% |
| Pakistan | 47% |
| Ukraine | 36% |
| Philippines | 35% |
| India | 29% |
| Bangladesh | 27% |
| Russia | 20% |
| Serbia | 19% |
The arts and design industry has the highest proportion of freelance workers in the US (Upwork)
The arts and design industry in the US has more freelance workers than any other sector. This shows the strong demand for creative work and the flexibility that freelancing offers in these fields.
Here’s a look at the percentage of freelancers working in different U.S. industries:
| Industry | Proportion of Freelancers |
| Arts & design | 77% |
| Marketing | 58% |
| Computers/Mathematics | 53% |
| Construction | 52% |
| Personal care/Wellness service | 48% |
| Transportation | 39% |
| Finance/Business operations | 37% |
| Sales | 33% |
| Education | 31% |
| Management | 29% |
| Healthcare support | 28% |
| Food prep/Service | 25% |
| Healthcare | 24% |
| Production/Manufacturing | 20% |
| Office work/Administrative support | 19% |
Freelance Market Size
The global freelance platform market is valued at $6.56 billion (Mordor Intelligence)
The global freelance platform market is worth $6.56 billion and is set to grow at a 16.6% annual rate from 2024 to 2029.
The global freelance platform market is expected to grow to $14.17 billion by 2029 (Mordor Intelligence)
The global freelance platform market is projected to reach $14.17 billion by 2029, growing at a 16.6% annual rate. These platforms help businesses find skilled freelancers for temporary work, making them a key part of the modern workforce.
In 2023, the global gig economy crossed $455 billion (Statista)
In 2023, the gig economy reached $455.2 billion in gross volume. This growth is driven by digital platforms that connect freelancers with clients for short-term jobs, contract work, and asset-sharing.
The freelance industry contributes nearly $1 trillion to the U.S. GDP (Fastcompany)
Freelancers add close to $1 trillion to the U.S. GDP, which is about 5% of the total. This is larger than the contributions from industries like construction and transportation, showing the strong impact of freelancing on the economy.
Upwork is the largest freelancer platform with over $2 billion in yearly revenue (VCBay)
Upwork makes more than $2 billion each year and hosts over 3 million jobs across 8,000 skills. Fiverr handles 3 million jobs annually, while Freelancer has 31 million users and earns $43.1 million per year.
Freelance Statistics by Region
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
The worldwide average hourly rate charged by freelancers is $21 (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 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 quickly becoming a popular way to work.
With 1.57 billion freelancers worldwide, they now make up 46.7% of the workforce. In the U.S., freelancer numbers are set to rise from 76.4 million in 2024 to 90 million by 2028. The market for freelance platforms will grow to $14.17 billion by 2029.
As more people choose freelancing, businesses will need to adjust to this shift and use freelance talent to stay efficient and competitive.
FAQ
How many freelancers are there in the world?
There are about 1.57 billion freelancers, making up 46.7% of the global workforce.
How many freelancers are in the U.S.?
In 2024, there are around 76.4 million freelancers in the U.S., and this number is expected to reach 90 million by 2028.
Which industries have the most freelancers?
The arts and design industry leads, with 77% of its workers freelancing.
Who makes up the freelance workforce?
Most freelancers are under 35, with 52.3% being women and 47.7% men.
What challenges do freelancers face?
Half of freelancers report not being paid on time or at all.
