Independent work: choice, necessity, and the gig economy

135
M
potential number  
of primary 
independent 
earners in the US 
and EU-15 if 
everyone worked in 
the style they prefer

---

72
McKinsey Global Institute
3. How independent work may evolve in the future
Exhibit 23
Many people report that they would like to pursue independent work
SOURCE: McKinsey Global Institute analysis 
1 Includes people in traditional jobs, people not working, and those who stated they would like to be independent but also indicated they were not likely to 
pursue the option.
Responses from MGI Survey 
87 million people would like to become primary independent workers, 
joining  48 million who plan to continue working that way
Current 
state
48 (68%)
29 (32%)
Primary
independent
Supplementary
independent
Traditional
workers
71
91
28 (15%)
30 (12%)
Not working
100% =
184
241
Desired primary source of income 
(which the respondents are at least somewhat likely to pursue)
Independent
Unlikely to pursue stated desire
Not working
Traditional
If everyone pursued their preferred working style, the total independent workforce in the United States and EU-15