Independent work: choice, necessity, and the gig economy

Independent workers with temporary contracts are likely to be independent out of necessity 
Responses from MGI Survey
Independent workers by segment
% of independent workers in each category; million
18
23
19
39
Reluctant
Financially strapped
Casual earner
Free agent
10
11
39
40
Independent workers with at least 
one temporary contract in past year
Other
independent workers
100% =
70
100% =
92
EU-15
1

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53
McKinsey Global Institute
Independent work: Choice, necessity, and the gig economy
INDEPENDENT WORKERS REPORT A HIGH DEGREE OF SATISFACTION WITH 
THEIR WORK LIVES
We asked survey respondents, including those with traditional jobs, to rate their satisfaction 
with 14 aspects of their work lives on a scale from 1 (completely dissatisfied) to 6 (completely 
satisfied).
42
 
The satisfaction ratings for overall work-life reported by all groups of independent workers 
averaged 4.6, slightly above the 4.5 average for all traditional workers. Although this 
difference is small, it is statistically significant (and worth noting, since roughly 85 percent of 
all workers rated their satisfaction within the narrow range of 4 to 6 points).
But sharper differences become apparent when we look at subgroups in each category. 
Overall, those who actively chose the independent life reported being notably happier with 
their careers and lifestyle than people with traditional jobs. Those who are independent 
out of necessity—and, for that matter, those who are in traditional jobs but would prefer 
independent work—are less satisfied on multiple dimensions.