Freelancing Is Now a Core Part of the Global Workforce
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Out of a global workforce of roughly 3.38 billion people, an estimated 1.57 billion are freelancers or independently employed, meaning nearly 47% of workers worldwide earn income outside traditional employment. While this share has gradually declined from over 55% in 2000 due to the growth of salaried jobs, the absolute number of freelancers continues to rise as the global labor force expands.
Countries like the United States, Brazil, and India lead in total freelancer numbers, with the U.S. alone home to more than 76 million freelancers. Data from institutions such as the World Bank and Upwork show that freelancing has become a structural feature of modern labor markets rather than a temporary trend.
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freelancing not being a “phase” anymore feels both freeing and terrifying tbh