Independent work: choice, necessity, and the gig economy

10-15
%
share of working-
age population  
that engages in 
independent work 
for supplemental 
income
The majority of independent workers engage to earn 
supplemental income—but they are undercounted 
in official statistics. Some hold traditional jobs but 
do independent work on the side, while others are 
retirees, caregivers, or students.

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33
McKinsey Global Institute
Independent work: Choice, necessity, and the gig economy
Exhibit 6
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