Independent work: choice, necessity, and the gig economy

50
%
of independent 
workers in all 
survey countries 
are supplemental 
earners

---

4
McKinsey Global Institute
Executive summary 
Exhibit E1
MGI’s survey indicates that the independent workforce is larger than previous estimates 
SOURCE: US Bureau of Labor Statistics; Freelancers Union; Katz and Krueger, 
The rise and nature of alternative work arrangements in the United States
, 
1995–2015
; Kelly Services; Burson-Marsteller; MBO Partners; Eurostat; UK Labour Force Survey; McKinsey Global Institute analysis
11
13
11
14
MGI survey
22
27
MGI analysis
of published
sources
1
1
Based on an analysis of government sources as well as other published surveys.
2
Published sources in Europe that capture supplemental work are limited. We have included gradients to represent the fact that the share of those 
engaged in independent work is much higher than published estimates in those countries suggest.
Independent workers as % of total working-age population
Supplemental workers
Primary workers
54–68
9–21
Number of 
independent 
workers (million)
13
12
18
13
30
MGI survey
MGI analysis
of published
sources
1
11
12
14
MGI analysis
of published
sources
1
12
MGI survey
26
6–14
7–13
13
10
15
MGI survey
MGI analysis
of published
sources
1
25
13
13
15
15
15
MGI survey
28
MGI analysis
of published
sources
1
1–2
7–12
17
15
16
31
17
MGI survey
MGI analysis
of published
sources
1
3
2
2
2
1
2