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