Independent work: choice, necessity, and the gig economy

Independent 
workers 
(based on 
analysis of 
government 
data and 
private
surveys)
Self-employed
% of working-age population
6
9
6
6
6
8
Temporary workers
% of working-age population
5
3
9
7
7
10
Supplemental workers
% of working-age population
11
2
5
3
2
1
Total independent workers
% of working-age population
22
14
20
16
15
19
Total independent workers
Million
54
7
2
11
8
7
Independent
workers 
(Responses 
from MGI
Survey)
Primary workers
% of working-age population
13
11
13
12
10
15
Supplemental workers
% of working-age population
14
14
15
18
15
16
Total independent workers
% of working-age population
27
26
28
30
25
31
Total independent workers
Million
68
14
2
21
13
12
Low
Medium
High

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59
McKinsey Global Institute
Independent work: Choice, necessity, and the gig economy
independent earners in Spain, compared with 40 percent on average in the EU overall 
(Exhibit 18). But only 58 percent of them are independent by choice, compared with 
68 percent in the EU-15. More than 42 percent of independent workers in Spain would like 
to land stable, long-term jobs. This may partly reflect the prevalence of temporary work in 
Spain: 69 percent of independent workers in Spain we surveyed are temporary compared 
with 42 percent in other countries. This is in line with new research by the European 
Parliament reporting that 53 percent of fixed-term workers in Europe would prefer a 
traditional contract.
49
 A heavily regulated labor market discourages companies from hiring 
traditional employees (in part by making it difficult to fire anyone), and as a result, Spain has a 
substantial temporary workforce.