Independent work: choice, necessity, and the gig economy

SUPPLEMENTAL
INCOME
OUT OF
NECESSITY
PRIMARY INCOME
(millions)
(millions)
68
68
54%
46%
42%
72%
68%
28%
32%
58%
94
94
100%
BY CHOICE
THIS SEGMENTATION VARIES SLIGHTLY IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE EU-15
1
1 
Results from UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Sweden scaled up to EU-15.

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McKinsey Global Institute
Independent work: Choice, necessity, and the gig economy
Primary
By choice
Out of
necessity
Supplemental
FREE AGENTS
22 million 
|
 32%
RELUCTANTS
10 million 
|
 14%
FINANCIALLY 
STRAPPED
9 million 
|
 14%
CASUAL
EARNERS
27 million 
|
 40%
46%
54%
28%
72%
UNITED STATES
68 million independent workers
Primary
By choice
Out of
necessity
Supplemental
FREE AGENTS
4 million 
|
 32%
RELUCTANTS
2 million 
|
 12%
FINANCIALLY 
STRAPPED
2 million 
|
 14%
CASUAL
EARNERS
6 million 
|
 42%
44%
56%
26%
74%
UNITED KINGDOM
14 million independent workers
Primary
By choice
Out of
necessity
Supplemental
FREE AGENTS
4 million 
|
 29%
RELUCTANTS
1 million 
|
 10%
FINANCIALLY 
STRAPPED
3 million 
|
 21%
CASUAL
EARNERS
5 million 
|
 39%
39%
61%
32%
68%
FRANCE
13 million independent workers
Primary
By choice
Out of
necessity
Supplemental
FREE AGENTS
6 million 
|
 29%
RELUCTANTS
2 million 
|
 11%
FINANCIALLY 
STRAPPED
4 million 
|
 19%
CASUAL
EARNERS
9 million 
|
 42%
39%
61%
30%
70%
GERMANY
21 million independent workers
Primary
By choice
Out of
necessity
Supplemental
FREE AGENTS
1 million 
|
 33%
RELUCTANTS
<0.5 million 
|
 13%
FINANCIALLY 
STRAPPED
<0.5 million 
|
 13%
CASUAL
EARNERS
1 million 
|
 41%
46%
54%
26%
74%
SWEDEN
2 million independent workers
Primary
By choice
Out of
necessity
Supplemental
FREE AGENTS
3 million 
|
 26%
RELUCTANTS
3 million 
|
 22%
FINANCIALLY 
STRAPPED
2 million 
|
 20%
CASUAL
EARNERS
4 million 
|
 32%
48%
52%
42%
58%
SPAIN
12 million independent workers
SOURCE: McKinsey Global Institute survey. Numbers may not sum due to rounding. 

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McKinsey Global Institute
Executive summary 
INDEPENDENT WORKERS BY CHOICE REPORTED HIGHER LEVELS OF 
SATISFACTION THAN ANY OTHER GROUP IN OUR SURVEY
The MGI survey asked respondents to rank their satisfaction on 14 aspects of their work life. 
Free agents report higher satisfaction than those who choose traditional jobs on 12 of the 
14 dimensions we measured, and they are just as satisfied on the remaining two dimensions 
(Exhibit E3). They are more engaged in their work, and they relish the chance to be their 
own boss and have more control over their hours. Free agents cite higher satisfaction 
than traditional workers across issues ranging from the creativity they can express to 
opportunities for learning and recognition. They are happier with their overall level of income 
and are just as satisfied as traditional workers on income security and benefits. These 
observations hold regardless of gender, age, education level, or household income. 
Casual earners also rate their satisfaction higher than those who solely hold traditional jobs 
on five of the 14 dimensions we measured and are equally satisfied on the others. Some 
may have turned hobbies into paying assignments, or they simply enjoy work that provides a 
change of pace from their primary activities. 
By contrast, people who do not work in their preferred manner—whether they are 
independent or in traditional jobs—are notably less satisfied than those who are able 
to follow their preferences. However, in comparing these two subsets, those working 
independently out of necessity report being happier with the flexibility and content of the 
work they do but less satisfied with their level of income level and their income security. In 
fact, independent earners working out of necessity mainly like the flexibility of the work while 
those by choice enjoy myriad attributes of the work. Expanding economic opportunities and 
income security policies for this group should be a priority.
People who actively chose their working style 
reported greater satisfaction than those who felt 
forced by circumstance.  

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McKinsey Global Institute
Independent work: Choice, necessity, and the gig economy