The current economy has also been characterized by freelance work which has eliminated the issue of traditional working force. However, who are these independent workers, and what demographics do they represent?
Independents workers are currently referred to as freelancers, contractors or Gig workers because instead of being employees, these are people who work for only specific projects in short term employments. This portion of society is diverse in terms of age, educational attainment and working experience.
Age and Gender: Independent work is present for all ages, yet young people including the millennials and generation Z dominate this area. In the latest surveys conducted it was observed that about half the population of freelancers fall in the age bracket of 18-34 years. It is equally distributed in terms of gender where women outnumber men slightly especially in freelance employments as opposed to staff employments.
Age:
- The average freelancer age is 38 years old (MBO Partners)
- 49% are Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996 (Upwork)
- 37% belong to Gen Z, born 1997 onwards (Upwork)
Gender:
- 53% female, 47% male (MBO Partners)
Educational Background: The educational level of independent workers is heterogeneous in size. Many respondents have obtained a university degree, and the majority have at least a bachelor’s degree, together with a notable proportion who have postgraduate degrees. This is evidenced by the fact that freelance jobs usually demand high levels of skills in the profession, be it writing, programming or designing.
- 57% hold at least a bachelor’s degree (MBO Partners)
- 86% have some college education (MBO Partners)
Professional Background: Some of the freelancers work full-time while others work part-time, and freelancers are found in different occupations. Some are highly trained individuals with good paying corporate jobs who choose to be self-employed rather than tied to one company. Key areas of specialization have been identified to include technology, creative professions, and consulting industries for independents.
Geographic Distribution: Freelancers do not work only in big cities. Thanks to the opportunity to work remotely, the size of the independent workers community in suburban and rural areas has been growing amid the adaptation of broader trends towards remote working.
These demographics aid businesses and policymaking entities to identify and monetize the independent workers’ needs as well as nurture environments that encourage their achievement. That being the case, the nature of the independent worker population is expected to change over time to reflect dynamics in work and technologies.
