This statistic shows the number of freelancers in the United States from 2017 to 2028. It is projected that in 2027, **** million people will be freelancing in the United States and will make up **** percent of the total U.S. workforce.

In 2024, the overall economic contribution from freelancers in the United Kingdom was estimated to be *** billion British pounds, compared with *** billion pounds in the previous year.

Introduction

Freelance Statistics: The world of work is undergoing a profound, irreversible change, and at its very core is the unstoppable rise of the Freelance professional. What began as a side hustle for a select few is now a foundational pillar of the global economy, driven by demands for flexible, specialized talent and the tech platforms that connect them. As corporations undergo economic volatility, employees prioritize independence.

This article will discuss Freelance adoption, moving beyond generic information to focus exclusively on the exact data and numbers: market projections, demographic shifts, earnings data by skill and region, and the impact of next-generation tech like Artificial Intelligence. Let’s get started.

According to a 2023 survey, 15 percent of Gen Z reported that they worked as freelancers. In comparison, around 45 percent were Millennials. The source adds that the rise of influencer culture and content is attracting younger people to freelance in higher numbers.

Looking for a clean Upwork jobs dataset? The Upwork Freelance Jobs Dataset offers 300 verified job listings from the freelancing platform Upwork. It includes rich metadata such as job titles, posting dates, descriptions, required skills, client location, employment type, project duration, pricing (fixed or hourly), and more — perfect for freelance market analysis, job-market research, data science projects, or trend analysis across remote job postings.

Key Features

• Comprehensive Job Metadata: Each entry contains url, title, posted_at, description, employment_type, skills, client_location, hrs_per_week, project_duration, fixed_price, experience, job_type, project_type, total_jobs_posted_by_client, total_spent_by_client, uniq_id, and scraped_at.
  Crawl Feeds
• CSV Format: Ready to Use: Data is delivered in a straightforward CSV file, no need for scraping or cleaning.
• Verified Data Snapshot: 300 records captured as of the latest crawl (11 Jan 2021) — good for baseline analytics or historic analysis of Upwork job trends.
• Instant Access & Free: Price is USD $0.0 for this dataset — accessible to analysts, researchers or freelancers looking to explore or use job-market data without cost.

Use Cases

• Freelance Market Research: Analyze remote job demand, skill requirements, and pricing trends across Upwork listings.
• Data Science & Trend Analysis: Build models or dashboards to track shifts in job type, popular skills, client geographic distribution, and contract types over time.
• Client Prospecting & Lead Generation: Identify clients, frequent posters or high-spend clients based on total_jobs_posted_by_client and total_spent_by_client.
• Academic or Economic Research: Study gig-economy dynamics, remote work trends, skill demand distribution, or labour-market shifts globally.

Who Can Use It

• Researchers & Analysts exploring remote job markets, gig economy trends, or skill-demand dynamics.
• Freelancers & Agencies looking to study job posting patterns, niches in demand, or potential clients.
• Data Scientists / ML Engineers building datasets for job-market modelling, demand forecasting, or skill-trend analysis.
• Students & Educators needing real-world job-listing datasets for academic projects, economic studies, or teaching data analysis.

Why Use This Dataset Instead of Manual Scraping?

• Time-saving: Avoid writing scrapers, managing IPs or dealing with anti-scraping blocks.
• Verified & Clean Data: Dataset entries are pre-scraped and formatted, reducing manual data cleaning efforts.
• Free & Instant Access: No cost barrier for experimentation or analysis.
• Snapshot for Analysis: Provides a stable dataset snapshot that can be compared with newer datasets to observe market evolution.

The booming gig economy is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2033, driven by tech advancements and evolving work preferences. Explore market size, growth trends, key players (TaskRabbit, Upwork, Fiverr), and regional analysis in this comprehensive report. Discover the opportunities and challenges within this rapidly expanding sector.

The Freelance Contracts Dataset is a robust collection of 1.3 million contracts extracted from a leading freelancing platform, offering significant insights into the dynamics of the freelance economy. This dataset is essential for data analysts, researchers, and business strategists looking to explore the gig economy.

Key Features: - Job Details: Each contract includes job ID, title, start, and end dates. - Freelancer Information: Identifies freelancers through a unique ID. - Financial Data: Includes total hours worked, total amount paid, and hourly rates.

Potential Applications:

• Analyze trends in freelance job postings across various industries.
• Investigate how project duration relates to earnings and freelancer performance.
• Understand pricing strategies and budget allocations for freelance projects.

The Freelance Platforms Market is booming, projected to reach $22.45 billion by 2033, growing at a 16.66% CAGR. Discover key trends, drivers, and market segmentation insights in this comprehensive analysis, including regional breakdowns and leading companies like Upwork and Fiverr. Learn how the gig economy and remote work are shaping this rapidly evolving market. Recent developments include: November 2023: Upwork launched a new set of AI apps and offers, along with new educational content, so that independent talent on Upwork can utilize the overall potential of generative AI to enhance their productivity as well as improve the overall quality of their work. The launch mainly includes partnerships with industry-leading providers of tools that include generative AI, involving Amazon, Adobe, ClickUp, and Miro, as well as training resources from Jasper, Coursera, and Udemy., August 2023: Fiverr International Ltd launched a brand-new business solutions suite for mid- and large-size businesses, the all-new Fiverr Pro, and the debut of its neural network-powered Fiverr Neo with an aim to tackle the complex task of matching talent with customers.. Key drivers for this market are: Growing Need for Flexible Workforce, Increasing Demand for Specialized Skills. Potential restraints include: Slower Response Time of Underfloor Heating Systems than Radiator Systems. Notable trends are: Services Component to Witness Major Growth.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Gig Economy market size was USD 561245.2 million in 2024. It will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.20% from 2024 to 2031.

North America held the major market share for more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 224498.08 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.4% from 2024 to 2031.
Europe accounted for a market share of over 30% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 168373.56 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.7% from 2024 to 2031.
Asia Pacific held a market share of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 129086.40 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.2% from 2024 to 2031.
Latin America had a market share of more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 28062.26 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.6% from 2024 to 2031.
Middle East and Africa had a market share of around 2% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD 11224.90 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.9% from 2024 to 2031.
The transportation-based services category is the fastest growing segment of the Gig Economy industry

Market Dynamics of Gig Economy Market

Key Drivers for Gig Economy Market

Changing work approach driving the gig economy

The shift in work approach, particularly among younger generations, is a key driver of the gig economy. Millennials and Gen Z are prioritizing work that aligns with their passions and interests, seeking flexibility and autonomy over traditional career paths. The shift is majorly driven by the desire for work-life balance, alternate income sources and ability to work remotely, from anywhere. This shift has been on the rise particularly since the global pandemic that had pushed people to work from their homes and across various digital platforms. Businesses are embracing the flexible work arrangements to reduce costs and access specialized skills.

For instance,

Global research from the World Employment Confederation (WEC) finds that 83% of senior executives say that, since the pandemic, workers place as much value on flexibility in terms of when and where they work as on compensation.
A 2022 LinkedIn survey found that Gen Z workers were the cohort most likely to have left a role because of a perceived lack of flexibility (72% fell into this category, compared with 69% of Millennials, 53% of Gen X and 59% of Baby Boomers).
53% of Gen Z workers who freelance are moving away from traditional 9-to-5 jobs in favor of full-time freelancing.

(Source:https://insights.wecglobal.org/the-work-we-want/home/workplace-policy-younger-generations#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20new%20global%20research,the%20priorities%20of%20younger%20people. )

(Source: https://www.upwork.com/resources/gig-economy-statistics )

The digitalization of work is fueling demand for more gigs

Driven by technological advances and the increasing digitalization of skills and processes, the gig economy has expanded rapidly, by making work accessible to more people around the globe. The rise of online marketplaces like Upwork, Uber and Fiverr have made it easier for freelancers to find work and for companies to access a more flexible workforce. Improved technology and digital infrastructure have further made it easier and cheaper to connect with gig workers. The rise of e-commerce platforms and on-demand services such as ride-sharing, food delivery rely majorly on gig workers, contributing significantly to the growth of gig economy. Digital tools like instant messaging and video conferencing along with collaborative platforms like slack, MS Teams make it easy for employees to communicate from anywhere at any time.

With Artificial intelligence (AI) becoming one of the fastest-growing sectors and skill sets for independent professionals, AI has contributed to the growth of gig economy. AI is significantly impacting the gig economy by automating tasks, improving matching of workers and jobs. AI powered platforms also help streamline the recruitment process for businesses, by matching candidates with suitable projects based on skills, experience and availability.

For instance,

95% of respondents said generative AI makes them more competitive and 66...

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Freelance Platforms Market Size 2025-2029

The freelance platforms market size is forecast to increase by USD 24.97 billion, at a CAGR of 29.1% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing focus on cost effectiveness and the growing number of partnerships and acquisitions. Companies are recognizing the value of engaging freelance talent to reduce operational costs and increase agility. This trend is further fueled by the expanding pool of skilled freelancers, offering businesses access to a diverse range of expertise. However, this market landscape is not without challenges. The increasing reliance on digital platforms for work collaboration and data exchange heightens the risks related to data security and privacy.
The market is thriving, driven by digital transformation and a growing freelance talent pool. As more businesses adopt freelance platforms, they must address these concerns to maintain trust with their clients and protect sensitive information. Effective data security measures and transparent privacy policies are essential for companies seeking to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the market while mitigating potential risks.

What will be the Size of the Freelance Platforms Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
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The freelancing industry continues to evolve, presenting both opportunities and challenges for participants. Platform owners, recognizing the potential of this decentralized workforce, have been quick to expand their offerings, incorporating software development, data analysis, consulting, web design, and workforce management, among others. Freelancing rates vary significantly across different skill sets and customer segments, shaping the competitive landscape. Venture capital investments have fueled the growth of freelancing ecosystems, providing funding for innovative business models and solutions. Ethical considerations, such as fair pay and work conditions, are increasingly important in the freelancing industry. Customer segmentation and marketing strategies are essential for freelancers to target their services effectively. Freelancing trends include the rise of remote work and the increasing use of technology to streamline operations. Regulations and partnerships are shaping the future of the freelancing industry, offering new opportunities for growth.
Freelancing revenue models continue to evolve, with subscription-based and project-based models gaining popularity. Success stories abound in the freelancing industry, demonstrating the potential for high earnings and flexible work arrangements. The freelancing industry's impact on the economy is significant, with market share continuing to grow. Research and analysis are crucial for freelancers to stay informed about industry trends and best practices. Freelancing acquisitions and collaborations are creating new opportunities for growth and innovation. As the world embraces the metaverse and NFT marketplaces, the potential for freelance platforms to evolve and adapt is immense.

How is this Freelance Platforms Industry segmented?

The freelance platforms industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

End-user

  Freelancers
  Employers


Application

  Project management
  Sales and marketing
  IT
  Web and graphic design
  Others


Business Segment

  B2B platforms
  B2C platforms
  Hybrid models


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada
    Mexico


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    UK


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan
    The Philippines


  Rest of World (ROW)

By End-user Insights

The freelancers segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The freelance marketplace continues to evolve, with freelancers offering on-demand services to businesses at competitive prices, driving market growth. In 2024, the freelancer segment is predicted to remain dominant, as more independent workers join the gig economy. These platforms facilitate connections between employers and freelancers, enabling businesses to find skilled candidates based on various criteria. Freelance consulting was once a niche offering, but it's increasingly pervasive, fueled by digital networking. Freelancers provide businesses with flexibility and cost savings, while offering them access to a vast talent pool. Freelance data privacy, invoicing, automation, business development, tax compliance, cybersecurity, revenue generation, augmented reality, and other services are essential for freelancers to thrive in this market.

Remote work, cost

A 2023 survey found that around ** million workers in the U.S. are classified as independent workers - equating to ** percent of the U.S. workforce. Comparatively, around 100 million workers are classified as permanent workers.

Freelancer Earnings and Job Trends Dataset

Overview

This dataset provides comprehensive information about freelancer earnings and job trends across various industries and skill categories. It aims to help job seekers, freelancers, and researchers understand compensation patterns and demand in the gig economy.

Data Cleaning and Preprocessing

The following preprocessing steps were applied to ensure data quality: - Removed duplicate entries - Standardized currency values to USD - Normalized job category names - Filled missing values using

Dataset Features

Potential Applications

This dataset can be used for: - Analyzing which freelance skills command the highest rates - Identifying emerging job trends in the gig economy - Comparing earnings across different freelance categories - Forecasting future demand for specific skills - Helping job seekers make informed career decisions

Sample Insights

• Data Analysis skills command an average hourly rate of $XX
• Web Development projects have the highest average project budgets
• [Other interesting patterns you've observed]

Freelancer Management System Market Outlook

In 2023, the global Freelancer Management System (FMS) market size was valued at approximately USD 4.5 billion and is expected to reach around USD 12.6 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 12.1% during the forecast period. The expanding gig economy and the increasing preference for freelance work over traditional employment models are significant growth factors driving this market.

The growth in the Freelancer Management System market is largely driven by the rapid digital transformation across industries, leading to a surge in the adoption of cloud-based solutions and remote workforces. As more companies recognize the benefits of hiring freelancers for short-term projects, particularly in IT and creative sectors, there is an increased demand for robust FMS software to manage these workers efficiently. The system provides a seamless interface for hiring, managing, and paying freelancers, which significantly reduces administrative burdens and enhances productivity.

Another critical growth factor is the increasing globalization of businesses, which is pushing companies to tap into a diverse talent pool spread across different geographies. Freelancer Management Systems enable organizations to onboard freelancers from anywhere in the world, ensuring compliance with local labor laws and regulations. This global reach is particularly beneficial for companies looking to expand their operations rapidly without the constraints of hiring full-time employees in every new market.

Additionally, the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) integrated within FMS solutions are providing more precise talent matching and project management capabilities. These systems can analyze data to recommend the best freelancers for specific tasks, track project progress in real-time, and even predict project outcomes based on historical data. Such intelligent features are making FMS an indispensable tool for companies aiming to stay competitive in a fast-evolving business landscape.

Regionally, North America currently holds the largest share in the Freelancer Management System market, driven by the high concentration of tech-savvy businesses and a mature freelancing ecosystem. However, Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness the highest growth rate over the forecast period, fueled by rapid economic development, rising internet penetration, and a growing freelancer community. Europe also represents a significant market, benefitting from stringent labor laws that make flexible hiring solutions like FMS more attractive to businesses.

Component Analysis

The component segment of the Freelancer Management System market is primarily bifurcated into Software and Services. Software solutions are at the core of the FMS market, providing the essential platform for managing freelance talent. These software solutions offer functionalities such as time tracking, project management, invoice generation, and compliance management. With the integration of AI and ML, modern FMS software is evolving to offer predictive analytics and personalized freelancer recommendations, thus significantly enhancing the user experience and operational efficiency.

Within the software sub-segment, cloud-based solutions are gaining immense popularity due to their scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. Companies of all sizes are increasingly adopting cloud-based FMS software to manage a dispersed workforce efficiently. These solutions offer real-time access to freelancer databases, project updates, and financial transactions from any location, making them ideal for the globalized work environment.

On the other hand, the services component includes consulting, integration, support, and maintenance services. These services are crucial for the seamless implementation and operation of FMS solutions. Consulting services help organizations identify the right FMS software and strategies that align with their business goals. Integration services ensure that the FMS software is compatible with existing business systems and workflows, while support and maintenance services provide ongoing assistance to address any technical issues and software updates.

The services component is expected to witness substantial growth as businesses increasingly seek expert guidance to navigate the complexities of freelance workforce management. As organizations strive for optimal utilization of their freelance talent, the demand for specialized consulting and integration services is anticipate

In 2023, the projected gross volume of the gig economy is expected to reach ***** billion U.S. dollars. The gig economy is commonly defined as digital platforms that allow freelancers to connect with potential clients for short-term jobs, contracted work, or asset-sharing.

The rise of freelance work in the online platform economy (OPE) has received considerable media and policy attention in recent years, but freelance work is by no means a new phenomenon. In this paper, we draw on I.R.S. tax records to identify instances when workers begin doing online platform work versus other freelance/independent contractor “gig” work for firms. We find gig work occurs around major reductions in outside income, and document usage over the lifecycle. Our results provide suggestive evidence on motivations for entering into each type of work.

Croatia Employment: Crafts, Trade and Freelancers data was reported at 209,734.000 Person in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 207,079.000 Person for Feb 2025. Croatia Employment: Crafts, Trade and Freelancers data is updated monthly, averaging 213,581.500 Person from Oct 1999 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 296 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 275,743.000 Person in Jul 2008 and a record low of 179,009.000 Person in Jan 2018. Croatia Employment: Crafts, Trade and Freelancers data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Croatian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Croatia – Table HR.G013: Labour Force Statistics.

Nonemployer Statistics for Economics: National Ocean Watch (ENOW NES) contains annual time-series data for over 400 coastal counties, 30 coastal states, and the nation, derived from the United States Census Bureau. ENOW NES data report the number of nonemployer establishments and gross receipts, within the six sectors of the ocean and Great Lakes economy, .

Graph and download economic data for Self-Employed Workers, Nonagricultural Industries for United States (M08336USM175NNBR) from Jul 1945 to Apr 1965 about self-employed, nonagriculture, workers, industry, and USA.

United States Employment: sa: Non Agriculture: Self-employed data was reported at 8,728.000 Person th in Jun 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9,013.000 Person th for May 2018. United States Employment: sa: Non Agriculture: Self-employed data is updated monthly, averaging 7,489.000 Person th from Jan 1948 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 846 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9,973.000 Person th in Dec 2006 and a record low of 5,015.000 Person th in May 1968. United States Employment: sa: Non Agriculture: Self-employed data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G014: Current Population Survey: Employment: Seasonally Adjusted.

This dataset was collected as part of a study investigating the gender pay gap in the freelancing sector of Bangladesh, with a particular focus on the online platform, Freelancer.com. The dataset consists of self-reported data from 210 randomly selected freelancers, who were among the top search results with good reviews on the platform. The data were collected directly from the profiles of these freelancers, and the link to each profile is included in the dataset. The dataset provides comprehensive information about each freelancer, including their gender, hourly payment rate, number of reviews, number of recommendations, job completion rate, budget adherence rate, on-time delivery rate, repeat hire rate, payment verification status, total work experience, location, membership type, monthly investment on Freelancer.com, type of work, type of education, institution name, degree name, education level, years of education, and preferred freelancer status. The purpose of this dataset is to provide insights into the relationship between these factors and the hourly earnings of freelancers, with a particular emphasis on exploring any disparities between male and female freelancers. The scope of the dataset extends to the digital gig economy in Bangladesh, and its nature is quantitative. This dataset is intended for use in further research aiming to understand the complexities of the gender pay gap in the freelancing sector, and to devise effective strategies to bridge this gap.