54+ Freelance Statistics 2025 (Insights & Latest Trends)

Freelancing has recently become popular, with many professionals working independently. 

Additionally, with the current recession affecting the world, more people consider freelancing as a side hustle or a full-time opportunity.

In this article, I’ve compiled everything you need to know, from the various freelancing platforms to the number of freelancers in the market. 

Without any further delay, let’s dive right in!

Freelance Statistics: Top Picks (2025)

Explore key freelance statistics, shaping the dynamic gig economy and reshaping traditional work patterns. Discover trends, challenges, and opportunities.

1. The Global Online Freelance market size reached $1.71 trillion.

2. Globally, there are 1.57 billion freelancers. 

3. 73.3 million freelancers are in the United States.

4. Only 10% of the world’s freelancers are in Africa. 

5. 52.3% of women in the United States are freelancers. 

6. There was a significant increase of over 25% in job openings for freelance positions during the second quarter of 2020 (April to June).

7. The United States had the most freelancer demand, with 40.8%.

8. The gig economy is expected to grow to $455 billion worldwide . 

9. Indeed is the leading site for freelancers looking for work, with 424.18 million freelancers. 

10. Upwork generated $698 million in revenue. 

11. Freelancers between the ages of 55 to 64 years earn the most, with $36 per hour. 

12. Freelancers contributed $1.3 trillion to the economy of the United States in 2021. 

What Is The Market Size Of Online Freelance Platforms?

13. The Global Online Freelance market size reached $1.71 trillion.

The global freelance market size reached at $1.5 trillion in 2021. 

Industry experts predict that the market will continue to grow, reaching $1.71 trillion in 2022 and an impressive $5.5 trillion by 2030. 

This represents a significant compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.2% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2030.

14. The global freelance platform market hit $5.18 billion. 

The market size of freelance platforms was valued at $3,812.45 million in 2020.

The freelance platforms’ market size was $5,181.68 million in 2022. It is expected to reach $17,280.39 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 15.8% from 2023 to 2030.

Source: LinkedIn, Verified Market, Skyquest. 

How Many Freelancers Are There Worldwide?

15. Globally, there are 1.57 billion freelancers. 

The global workforce totals 3.38 billion individuals, with 46.44% working as freelancers.

16. 46.6% of the global workforce was self-employed1. 

The global percentage of self-employed individuals has been steadily declining over the years. In 2010, 51.6% of the worldwide workforce comprised self-employed individuals. 

From 2010 to 2021, there was only one instance where the percentage of self-employed individuals increased, which occurred in 2020 with a slight uptick from 46.7% to 47%.

 The table below shows the percentage of self-employed individuals from 2010 to 2021.

Year	The Percentage of Self-Employed People
2010	51.6%
2011	50.9%
2012	50.1%
2013	49.5%
2014	48.9%
2015	48.2%
2016	47.7%
2017	47.4%
2018	46.9%
2019	46.7%
2020	47%
2021	46.6%

17. Of all self-employed people, 45.7% of all self-employed were women.

Since 1996, there has been a continuous decline in the percentage of self-employed women. In 2010, the percentage of self-employed women was 51.1%. 

According to the most recent data, the percentage of self-employed women has decreased to 45.7%. 

Please refer to the table below for a comprehensive view of the percentage of self-employed women.

Year	The Percentage Of Self-Employed Women
2010	51.1%
2011	50.4%
2012	49.5%
2013	48.8%
2014	48%
2015	47.3%
2016	46.7%
2017	46.3%
2018	45.7%
2019	45.7%
2020	46.1%
2021	45.7%

Source: Tech Jury, World Bank. 

How Many Freelancers Are There In The United States?

18. 73.3 million freelancers are in the United States. 

The number of freelancers in the United States has been rapidly increasing. In 2017, the number of freelancers was 57.3 million, which grew by 16 million in the following years. 

By 2022, there were already 70.4 million freelancers in the United States. 

The table below illustrates how the number of freelancers has grown from 2017 to 2028 in the United States.

Year	The Number Of Freelancers In The United States
2017	57.3 million
2018	59.7 million
2019	62.2 million
2020	64.8 million
2021	67.6 million
2022	70.4 million
2023	73.3 million

Source: Statista. 

Regional Freelancing Statistics

The contribution of Asian countries to the growth of freelancing work is noteworthy, but the United States leads in this area. Let’s take a closer look at the regional statistics on freelancing.

19. Freelancing work has grown by 78% in the United States. 

The United States is currently the top country in year-over-year growth in the number of freelancers and their earnings. 

The second highest country is the United States, with a 59% growth rate. 

Below is a table that displays the top 10 countries with the highest year-over-year growth in the number of freelancers and their earnings.

Top Country	Growth
The United States	78%
The United Kingdom	59%
Brazil	48%
Pakistan	47%
Ukraine	36%
Philippines	35%
India	29%
Bangladesh	27%
Russia	20%
Serbia	19%

20. The Philippines experienced a 208% year-over-year growth rate in freelance revenue, making it the highest among all countries.

The countries that experience the most significant growth in freelance work can change rapidly and dramatically. This was evident when comparing 2019 to 2020. 

In 2020, emerging market countries took the lead, and there was a more substantial Latin American presence. 

Surprisingly, the previous year’s leader did not reach the top 10 for 2020.

Below is the list of the top 10 countries with the fastest-growing freelance year-on-year revenue growth in 2020:

Top Country	Year-Over-Year Growth In Revenue Of Freelancing
Philippines	208%
India	160%
Japan	87%
Australia	86%
Hong Kong	79%
Mexico	72%
Canada	71%
Pakistan	69%
Argentina	66%
Spain	66%

21. The United Kingdom has 4.3 billion freelancers. 

Over the time provided, self-employment in the United Kingdom has steadily grown, starting at a low of just 3.2 million in December 2000 and reaching a peak of over five million at the beginning of 2020. 

Nonetheless, self-employment has plummeted to levels not witnessed since mid-2015 due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

A table shows the number of Freelancers in the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2023.

Year	The Number Of Freelancers In The United Kingdom
2010	3.9 million
2011	4 million
2012	4.1 million
2013	4.1 million
2014	4.5 million
2015	4.4 million
2016	4.7 million
2017	4.7 million
2018	4.7 million
2019	4.9 million
2020	4.7 million
2021	4.2 million
2022	4.2 million
2023 (As of May 2023)	4.3 million

22. Only 10% of the world’s freelancers are in Africa. 

It’s worth noting that Africa accounts for 10.1% of the world’s freelancers, which is expected to increase soon.

Source: Statista, Exploding Topics.

What Is The Demography Of Freelancers?

Almost half of the millennials in the United States currently work as freelancers. This section will provide a comprehensive overview of the demographics of this growing workforce.

23. 52.3% of women in the United States are freelancers. 

In the United States, the percentage of women freelancers is higher than that of men. 52.3% of women are freelancers in the United States, while 47.7% of men are freelancers. 

67.8% of men in the United States participate in the workforce, while 56.8% of women as of 2023. 

24. In the United States, 43% of the Gen Z population is freelancing as of 2023. 

The millennial population works the most as a freelancer in the United States, with 46%. And 35% of the Gen Z population work as a freelancer. 

A table shows the percentage of freelancers in the United States as of 2023 by generation. 

Generation	The Percentage Of Freelancers
Gen Z	43%
Millennials	46%
Gen X	35%
Baby Boomers	27%

25. 76% of freelancers in the United States are white by ethnicity. 

The majority of freelancers in the United States are white. More than 7 out of 10 freelancers are white by ethnicity. 

The second most racial group contributing to the number of freelancers is Hispanic or Latino, with 10%. 

A table shows the percentage of freelancers and the total workforce in the United States by ethnicity. 

Ethnicity	Freelancers	Total Workforce
White	76%	77%
Hispanic or Latino	10%	18%
Asian-American/Asian	8%	8%
African or African Decent	4%	13%
Others	3%	3%

26. More than 50% of freelancers have postgraduate degrees. 

The proportion of freelancers with a higher education degree is rising. 

In 2020, over half (51%) of freelancers possessed a post-graduate level of education, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. 

Meanwhile, freelancers with a high school diploma or less accounted for 31% of the freelance workforce, a decline of 6% from the previous year.

Source: Statista, Exploding Topics.

The COVID-19 Impact On Freelance

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the freelancing industry, leading to an unprecedented increase in demand for freelance services. 

Let’s look at some key ways the pandemic has affected freelancing.

27. There was a significant increase of over 25% in job openings for freelance positions during the second quarter of 2020 (April to June).

According to the Freelancers Fast 50 study, job openings increased by over 25% from April to June 2020. 

The study analyzed the website’s global marketplace, which includes North America, Europe, and Asia.

28. The number of freelance job postings increased by 41% to 605,000 during the second quarter of 2020.

The number of freelance job postings has increased by approximately 41%, reaching 605,000 in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. 

This growth can be attributed primarily to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the global employment landscape and the strong demand for individuals who work independently.

29. In 2020, the United States had the most freelancer demand, with 40.8%.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States had the highest demand for online labor. 

Europe came in second with 15.5% of the demand. 

A table provides further insights into the totals.

Region	Demand of Freelancers
The United States	40.8%
Europe	15.5%
The United Kingdom	8.2%
India	6.4%
Africa	2.9%

30. The COVID-19 Pandemic changed the average earnings of technology professionals by 47%. 

During the pandemic, average earnings have slightly decreased to reflect lower demand in some sectors and an increase in new freelancers joining the industry.

A table shows the before and after the pandemic earnings and the percentage change in freelancers’ earnings. 

Freelancers	Pre-Covid	Post-Covid	Change In %
Admin	403.33 million	354.41 million	12%
Creative	583.33 million	406.70 million	30%
Technology	437.50 million	233.33 million	47%

Source: First Site Guide. 

Future Of Freelance Statistics 

31. The gig economy is expected to grow to $455 billion worldwide by the end of 2023. 

This projection is based on the 17.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) observed between 2018 and 2023. 

This means the gig economy is anticipated to grow by 123% over these five years.

32. There will be 86.5 million freelancers in the United States By 2027. 

Industry experts predict there will be 86.5 million freelancers by 2027, which will make up around 50.9% of the total workforce in the United States. 

A table shows the future projection of freelancers in the United States from 2024 to 2028. 

Year	The Projected Number of Freelancers In The U.S.
2024*	76.4 million
2025*	79.6 million
2026*	83 million
2027*	86.5 million
2028*	90.1 million

Source: Statista.

Freelance Platform Statistics 

There are several freelancing platforms available where freelancers can find work. In this section, I’ve compiled statistics on some of the most critical platforms.

33. Indeed is the leading site for freelancers looking for work, with 424.18 million freelancers. 

 150 million people visit Indeed monthly. And the other most popular freelancing site is Freelancer and Flexjob, with 2.16 million and 1.36 million monthly visitors, respectively. 

Fiverr is the second top freelancing website by the number of freelancers, with 58.67 million. 

A table shows the leading freelancing platforms by the number of monthly visitors and the number of freelancers. 

Freelancing Platforms	The Number Of Freelancers	Monthly Visitors
Indeed	424.18 million	150 million
Fiverr	56.67 million	16.50 million
Upwork	33.12 million	4 million
Freelancer	10.60 million	2.16 million
Toptal	3.05 million	1.73 million
Flexjob	2.67 million	1.36 million
Guru	1.39 million	0.83 million

Source: First Site Guide. 

Bonus: We have already done a detailed Upwork vs Fiverr comparison Choosing the Ideal Freelance Platform for Your Needs here.

Upwork Statistics 

34. As of 2023, Upwork generated $698 million in revenue.

Upwork’s revenue for Q1 of 2023 was $159 million. According to experts, Upwork’s revenue will reach $1,017 million by 2025.

A table shows the total insights into the revenue of Upwork from 2016 to 2025. 

Year	Upwork Revenue
2016	164
2017	203 million
2018	253 million
2019	301 million
2020	374 million
2021	503 million
2022	610 million
2023	698 million
2024*	836 million
2025*	1017 million
2026*	1400 million

*Projected 

35. 66% of Upwork freelancers are from the United States. 

Upwork is accessible in over 180 countries worldwide. 

The United States has the highest number of freelancers on Upwork, while India has 9% of the total freelancers. 

A table displays the top four countries with the highest percentage of Upwork freelancers.

Top Countries	The Percentage Of Upwork Freelancers
The United States	66%
India	9%
The United Kingdom	3%
Canada	2%

36. 47.3 million visitors visited Upwork in June 2023. 

The number of visitors in June 2023 decreased by 1.3 million compared to May 2023. 

In May 2023, Upwork had 48.5 million visitors. 

A table provides a comprehensive overview of Upwork’s visitor statistics.

Month	Upwork Visitors	Growth
April 2023	46.4 million	–
May 2023	48.5 million	+2.2 million
June 2023	47.3 million	-1.3 million

Source: Demandsage, Similar Web. 

Also Read: Exploring Top Fiverr Alternatives and compare freelance platforms for optimal gig opportunities and business growth.

Fiverr Statistics 

37. 61.5 million visitors visited Fiverr in April 2023. 

In May 2023, Fiverr received 60.8 million visitors, 760.4K less than the previous month. 

Please refer to the table below for a complete breakdown of Fiverr’s visitor insights from April to June 2023.

Month	Fiverr Visitors	Growth
April 2023	61.5 million	–
May 2023	60.8 million	-760.4K
June 2023	58.9 million	-1.8 million

38. The most GMV of Fiverr comes from North America, with 57%. 

North America accounted for the most significant portion of Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) among all geographies, representing an impressive 57%. 

In contrast, Latin America (LATAM) contributed the smallest amount, at only 2%. The remaining 43% of total GMV comes from regions outside of North America.

 A table shows the complete insights into the GMV of Fiverr by region. 

Region	Share GMV Share Of Fiverr
North America	57%
Europe, Middle East, and Africa	28%
Asia Pacific	13%
Latin America	2%

39. 60.05% of Fiverr visitors are male. 

Most Fiverr visitors are male, with over 60% identifying as such. Female visitors make up 35.95% of the total visitor population.

Additionally, the largest age group of Fiverr visitors falls between 25 and 34, comprising 35.85% of all visitors. Visitors aged 18 to 24 make up 26.59% of the total.

Please refer to the table below for a more detailed breakdown of Fiverr visitors by age group.

Age Group	Share Of Fiverr Visitors
18 to 24 years	26.59%
25 to 34 years	35.85%
35 to 44 years	19.21%
45 to 54 years	10.02%
55 to 64 years	5.39%
More than 65 years	2.93%

40. In 2021, Fiverr generated $297.66 million in revenue. 

 From 2017 to 2021, Fiverr experienced a 5.7-fold increase in revenue, with its most significant growth occurring between 2019 and 2020, when it reported a year-on-year increase of 76.9%.

A table shows the total breakdown of Fiverr revenue from 2017 to 2021. 

Year	Fiverr Revenue
2017	$52.11 million
2018	$75.50 million
2019	$107.07 million
2020	$189.51 million
2021	$297.66 million

Source: Similar Web, Sellcoures Online. 

Note: For a detailed review of Fiver, check out this article. 

Indeed Statistics

41. 515.4 million visitors visited Indeed in June 2023. 

Between April 2023 and May 2023, Indeed visitors increased to 68.3 million. However, between May 2023 and June 2023, there was a change in the trend. 

The table below provides an overview of the total insights into the visitors of Indeed from April 2023 to June 2023.

Month	Indeed Visitors	Growth
April 2023	564.3 million	–
May 2023	632.6 million	+68.3 million
June 2023	615.4 million	– 17.1 million

42. 45.60% of Indeed users are in the United States as of 2023. 

Indeed’s leading market is the United States, with over 45% of its users located there. Following closely behind is the United Kingdom, with 8.86% of Indeed users. 

A table displays the top 5 countries with the most Indeed users as of 2023.

Top Country	The Share Of Indeed Users
The United States	45.60%
The United Kingdom	8.86%
Canada	8.74%
India	3.89%
France	3.52%
Others	29.38%

43. 51.02% of Indeed users are males. 

48.98% of Indeed users are female, almost half the user base, while males comprise the remaining half. There is only a slight difference between the two groups.

The largest age group among Indeed users is between 25 and 34 years old, representing 31.33% of the user base.

A table provides a comprehensive overview of Indeed users by age group.

Age Group	Share Of Fiverr Visitors
18 to 24 years	25.96%
25 to 34 years	31.33%
35 to 44 years	18.42%
45 to 54 years	12.47%
55 to 64 years	7.64%
More than 65 years	4.17%

44. 56.6% of Indeed users are white as of 2023. 

Over 50% of Indeed users identify as white. Following white users, 16.9% identify as Hispanic or Latino, and 12.8% identify as Asian. 

Please refer to the table below for a detailed breakdown of Indeed users by ethnicity.

Ethnicity	Share Of Indeed Users
White	56.6%
Hispanic or Latino	16.9%
Asian	12.8%
Black or African American	10.6%
Unknown	3.1%

Source: Similar Web, DMR. 

Freelance Wage Statistics 

In this section, we will cover the essential information regarding freelancers’ hourly, monthly, and yearly earnings.

45. Freelancers between the ages of 55 to 64 years earn the most, $36 per hour. 

Millennials and Gen-Z comprise most of the freelance workforce worldwide, with almost 70% under 35.

In Asia, 82% of freelance workers are 35 or younger; in North America, less than half of freelancers fall under this age bracket.

A table shows the total breakdown of freelancers’ wages by age. 

Age	Wage
18 to 24 years	$16
25 to 34 years	$19
35 to 44 years	$24
45 to 54 years	$27
55 to 64 years	$36
More than 65 years	$34

46. Freelancers take an average of $21 per hour. 

The current average hourly rate for freelancers is $21, which has increased from $19 in 2018. 

Those working in web/mobile development, marketing, legal, accounting, and other skilled services earn an average of $28 per hour. 

This rate exceeds 70% of all hourly wages in the United States.

47. Data analysts, programmers, and mobile developers earn an average annual salary of up to $120,000 in the United States. 

The demand for skilled freelancers is on the rise. From 2020 to 2021, the percentage of freelancers working in professional services such as computer programming, marketing, IT, and business consulting grew from 50% to 53%.

Freelancers with technical and specialized skills tend to command higher pay rates.

In the United States, the highest average wage is earned by programmers, who make $60-70 per hour and have an annual salary of around $120,000. 

Data analysts and mobile developers earn $55-65 per hour, with a yearly salary of $100,000.

Below is a table of the average salaries and annual earnings for the most popular freelancing activities:

Job Title	Annual Salary	Monthly Salary	Hourly wage
Writers	$42,000	$3,500	$30 to $40
Editors	$40,000	$3,300	$25 to $35
Programmers	$120,000	$10,000	$60 to $70
General Developers	$100,000	$8,300	$50 to $60
Mobile Developers	$100,000	$8,300	$55 to $65
Web Developers	$90,000	$7,500	$50 to $60
Graphic Designers	$90,000	$7,500	$40 to $45
Transcribers	$32,000	$2,600	$20 to $25
Bookkeepers	$40,000	$3,300	$30 to $35
Online Marketers	$100,000	$8,300	$50
Photographers	$42,000	$3,500	$35 to $45
CRM Managers	$120,000	$10,000	$50 to $60
Data Analyst	$100,000	$8,300	$55 to $65

48. Freelancers with a high school education typically earn an average of $22 per hour.

Freelancers with a bachelor’s degree earn an average of $19 per hour, while those with a postgraduate degree make an average of $24 per hour when freelancing.

Source: Exploding Topics. 

General Freelance Statistics

Here are some general statistics about freelancing that will help you better understand this article.

49. Around 85% of hiring managers choose to outsource work to freelancers.

Based on a recent survey, it was found that 84% of companies in the Asia Pacific have outsourced work to freelancers. 

The survey also revealed that hiring freelancers can result in labor cost savings of over 20%.

50. Freelancers contributed $1.3 trillion to the economy of the United States in 2021. 

The collective earnings of freelancers in 2021 were $100 million higher than in 2020. 

This increase is a testament to the resilience of freelancers who overcame economic challenges despite the year’s turbulence.

51. In 2021, most full-time freelancers (68%) reported feeling more secure working independently.

Only 32% and 53% of freelancers had a sense of job security in 2011 and 2019, respectively. This indicates that independent work now provides job security to a broader segment of the American workforce.

29% of permanent employees believe traditional 9-to-5 jobs are riskier. It’s not hard to understand why. Even without any economic crisis, like the Great Recession, countless American employees are laid off due to corporate restructuring.

52. 19.5% of freelancers in the United States freelance for additional discretionary income. 

25.7% of independent workers polled in the United States stated that they participated in that kind of work out of necessity to support the basic needs of their families. 

A further 24.9% said their main reason was the autonomy and flexibility it offers.

A table shows the complete details about this. 

Leading Reasons To Do Freelance	Share Of Respondents
To support essential family needs	25.7%
Due to autonomy and flexibility of work	24.9%
Enjoy the work	24.7%
Additional Discretionary income	19.5%
Others	5.2%

53. 46% of freelancers get freelancing work from previous clients in the United States. 

There are many sources that freelancers use to find freelance work. Most freelancers get freelance work from their previous clients, while 42% find it on social media. 

On the other hand, 33% of freelance find freelancing work by using their contacts. 

A table shows where freelancers find freelancing work in the United States. 

Source	Always Freelance	Paused Freelance
Previous Client	46%	36%
Friends and Family	46%	48%
Social Media	42%	38%
Professional Contacts	33%	31%
Online Ads	24%	25%
General Freelance Websites	22%	17%
Online Job Boards	22%	20%
Specialized Freelance Websites	15%	13%
Previous Employer	14%	18%
Sharing Economy Websites or Apps	12%	12%
Local Newspaper	11%	10%
Employment Agency	10%	12%

54. 86% of freelancers work from home. 

It is common for freelancers to work remotely and not in a corporate office. 

86% of all freelancers in the United States work from home, while 40% work from local coffee shops or cafes. 

A table shows the total insights into the work locations of freelancers. 

Work Location	The Percentage Of Freelancers
Home	86%
Local Coffee Shops/Cafes	40%
Remote City or Location	25%
Client Offices	21%
Co-Working Space	19%
Own Office	15%
Library or University	11%
Other	2%

Source: Statista.

Related Read:

• Best Sites For Freelance Writers

Conclusion: Freelance Statistics (2025)

It is evident that freelancing has become a crucial component of the global workforce, mainly due to the rise of remote work opportunities. 

Freelancing opens employment options to individuals regardless of location and often provides cost-effective solutions for companies seeking IT support. 

Additionally, freelancers enjoy attractive lifestyle benefits, with autonomy being among the most appealing. 

I hope you have found this article informative, If you know any additional statistics and facts about freelancing, then let me know in the comment section below. 

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