Top freelance trends for 2026

There are about 1.57 billion freelancers worldwide, making up nearly 46.6 % of the global workforce. Freelancing continues to reshape the modern workforce, offering flexibility, opportunity, and the chance to work on diverse projects worldwide. As we step into 2026, the freelance and contractor landscape is evolving faster than ever – from AI-powered tools transforming workflows, to new platforms connecting talent with clients, and shifting economic trends influencing demand.

This guide explores the key freelance trends in 2026, highlighting in-demand skills, market insights, challenges, and opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned freelancer or considering taking your first independent project, understanding these trends will help you stay competitive and thrive in the evolving freelance economy.

The rise of AI and digital skilled contractors and freelancers

Despite economic uncertainty in some countries, businesses are still gearing up for growth. According to a survey in the UK for example, over half (55%) plan to expand their workforce, with a strong focus on IT, tech, and AI roles. But securing top talent in an increasingly competitive market remains a challenge.

This skills gap, coupled with economic pressures, is driving more businesses to embrace freelancers. Nearly a third of companies are already tapping into a freelance talent for AI expertise, a trend that’s expected to grow in the coming years.

Read more about how the AI revolution is transforming key industries, enhancing efficiency, and creating new job opportunities in the rapidly evolving job market. AI Revolution in APAC.

According to Upwork’s 2025 report, 87% of skilled freelancers said they prefer freelance work that lets them grow or learn new skills (rather than reuse old ones).

A growing demand for freelancers and contractors

The demand for freelancers is set to keep rising as more companies embrace flexible work models. From business demand side: many companies are increasingly relying on freelance talent. According to a recent survey, 48% of CEOs plan to increase freelance hiring over the coming year – signalling strong demand for external freelance talent.

• Specialised expertise: Industries like tech, marketing, and creative design will continue to rely on freelancers with specific, high-demand skills.
  
• Global talent access: Businesses will increasingly look to a global talent pool, enabling them to access top talent from anywhere in the world. This includes offshoring talent to building virtual teams to deliver core projects.
  
• The next generation: A significant portion of both Gen Z and Millennial professionals engage in freelance work, with many in these generations opting for flexible, independent career paths.
  
• Over half of freelancers provide knowledge services: Services such as computer programming, marketing, IT, and business consulting are focused within the freelance market to accelerate and optimise cost.

Freelancers take control

There has been in recent years a growing appreciation of the opportunities freelance work provides, in terms of career progression, flexibility and variety of work, and even reducing some of the responsibilities that come with being a full-time employee.

In creative industries such as advertising, digital media, publishing, and fashion, where networking and diverse experience are essential, freelancing has become a standard and integral part of many careers. Beyond flexibility, it allows professionals to experience a company’s culture and work environment firsthand before deciding whether to commit to a permanent position. This combination of autonomy, exposure, and career exploration makes freelancing a valuable and increasingly common choice for modern professionals.

Going freelance

Another important trend to highlight is trust. With people using freelance to provide additional income on top of their traditional or permanent jobs. Diversifying income could be part of preparation to leap freelance or contracting, transitioning slowly and securely away from permanent employment and minimising risk.

However, it also demonstrates where people are placing their trust in the wake economic uncertainty. In themselves.

Traditional full-time employment when markets are uncertain loses one of its core appeals: stability. Self-employment, freelance or contract work means weighing the trade-offs. You might have more freedom to pursue work you enjoy, but you’ll lose the consistent paycheck (including holiday and sick pay), your team, and the employee support and training that companies can provide.

While financial gain is often a key motivation for going freelance, flexibility and seeking a better sense of purpose in their careers were other driving factors. When asked about the reasons for freelancing, ‘to earn extra money’ and ‘to have flexibility in my schedule’ also top the list.

How freelancers feel about what’s next

Freelancers remain optimistic about their future, often more so than full-time employees. This confidence stems from the control they have over their work, allowing them to manage multiple clients or projects and reduce reliance on a single employer. This flexibility can provide a sense of financial stability even in uncertain economic times.

At the same time, opportunities for freelance contracts are growing, as companies increasingly rely on independent professionals to manage costs, scale quickly, and access specialized expertise. Emerging areas such as AI, digital transformation, and creative innovation are creating new avenues for skilled freelancers to thrive in 2026 and beyond.

Hiring freelancers and contractors

Why are so many employers turning to more open workforce models and integrating freelance and contract workers into their processes?

Richard Norris, Managing Director of Salt UK, shares what Salt has seen by way of a shift in attitude towards freelance from candidates and clients:

“We have noticed the profile of freelancers and contractors has changed – with less experienced candidates now seeing contracting or freelancing as an opportunity for career development and progression that rivals, if not outperforms, what they can expect in a permanent role at a company. Working across permanent and contract recruitment around the globe, we help a lot of our clients adapt their hiring needs to this new job market reality and navigate the benefits and pitfalls of a more agile workforce, even hiring and onboarding whole teams of contractors through our services to support clients adapting to change quickly.”