Independent work: choice, necessity, and the gig economy

Calculating base amount of work per day that could be outsourced
SOURCE: American Time Use Survey (2014); McKinsey Global Institute analysis
K. Exterior
housecleaning
0.03
J. Pet care
F. Garden/
lawn care
0.13
G. Grocery
shopping
H. Driving
children
0.40
0.49
0.08
E. Laundry
A. Driving self
(to work, to buy
goods/services,
for leisure)
0.75
0.05
I. Home repairs
0.19
0.20
C. Food
preparation
0.63
0.08
D. Interior
housecleaning
B. Errands
Time spent on different household 
activities (all income brackets)
Hours per day
Base amount of work 
that could be outsourced
Hours per day
Haircut to reflect different 
frequencies that people are 
likely to consider outsourcing, 
based on income bracket
Income bracket
$ thousand
% of
the time
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.6
0.6
G
J
0
I
H
A
E
B
C
D
F
K 0
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.4
K
0
0
J
0
0
G
F
B
I
C
E
A
H
D
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.2
B
A
0
D
0
E
K 0
H
0
G
J
I
C
0
F
0
Very high
>$150
75%
High
$75–$150
50%
Average
$25–$75
25%
Low
<$25
0%
Zero

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117
McKinsey Global Institute
Independent work: Choice, necessity, and the gig economy
2.  Survey data used to estimate likelihood of hiring someone
Given the time spent on these activities by household income level, we then applied a 
likelihood percentage. This percentage came from the MGI survey and was applied by 
country and by income level. Respondents were asked “How likely are you to consider 
hiring someone to perform the following activities?” For each of 11 top activities from the 
time use survey, they were asked to choose responses from a six-point scale ranging 
from “definitely will not” to “definitely will” or an indication that they are “already doing.” 
3.  Likelihoods were applied to time spent by household income level and country to 
calculate total hours
Exhibit A12 shows the results in the United States of multiplying the survey results against 
the time spent per year on each activity from the Time Use Surveys. 
Exhibit A12
Likelihoods were applied to time spent by household income level and country to calculate total hours
SOURCE: McKinsey Global Institute survey; McKinsey Global Institute analysis