DRIVERS BARRIERS
Freedom
Flexibility
Earning extramoney
2017“Freelancing in America” is the most
comprehensive study of the independent workforce. Commissioned by Freelancers
Union and Upwork, and conducted by independent research firm Edelman
Intelligence, this study analyzes the size of the growing freelance economy and
provides insights into the major role freelancers play in the future of work. In
fact, based on this year’s findings it is predicted that the majority of the U.S. workforce will be freelancers within a
decade (by 2027).
FREELANCING IN AMERICA
Millennials are leading the way
of Millennial workers freelance, more than any other generation
47
49FREELANCE
ECONOMY 25
1310
3
ON-DEMAND ECONOMY
SHARING ECONOMY
GIG ECONOMY
OTHER
%
%
%
%%
57.3M people freelance
The majority of workers will freelance by 2027
$1.4 Trillionannually in freelance earnings to
our economy
Freelancers contribute an estimated
%
More income sources are betterFreelancers think having diversified income is more secure than one employer (63% agree)
Tech is enabling freelancing
71of freelancers say the amount of work they obtained online increased over the past year
%
What freelancers prefer calling this economy
Top drivers and barriers to freelancing
Don't call this the gig economy
Freelancers are preparing for the future
FREELANCERS
55%
30%
OTHERS
Income predictability
Finding work
Benefits
2017 2027
86.5M
FREELANCER
NON-FREELANCER
83.4MProjected workforce size
102.7M
57.3M
.com4.5 clients
per month
Freelancers average
% who reskilled within the last 6 months
W W W . F R E E L A N C E R S U N I O N . O R G / F R E E L A N C I N G I N A M E R I C A 2 0 1 7W W W . U P W O R K . C O M / I / F R E E L A N C I N G - I N - A M E R I C A
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