The Freelancers Union “53 million” report contains data results of the most comprehensive survey of the U.S. independent workforce in nearly a decade. Here are a few of the main stats from the report:

• There are 53 million people doing freelance work in the US1 – 34% of the national workforce
• People who freelance contribute an estimated $715 billion in freelance earnings to our economy1
• Twice as many freelancers have seen an increase in demand in the past year as have seen a decrease – 32% experienced an increase versus 15% who have seen a decrease
• 80% of non-freelancers say they would be willing to do work outside their primary job to make more money
• Earning extra money (but not financial necessity) and schedule flexibility are the top drivers of freelancing
• Finding work and, correspondingly, income stability are the top barriers to doing more freelancing work
• 69% of freelancers said technology has made it easier to find freelance work
• 77% of freelancers say the best days are yet ahead for freelancing
• 65% said freelancing as a career path is more respected today than it was three years ago
• 36% of moonlighters who have a primary job have thought about quitting to work completely independently