Freelance trends to consider in 2025

More workers are choosing to work as freelancers or contractors than ever before, reshaping how we approach work, what we prioritise, and how we define career success. The speed at which the world of work is changing is in part thanks to the seismic shift post-pandemic in what we value from our employers and how teams and organisations have adapted to remote collaboration.

Reports highlight the significant shift towards freelancing and contracting in recent times, reflecting key freelance trends.

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 in 2025, with a strong focus on IT, tech, and AI roles. But securing top talent in an increasingly competitive market remains a challenge.

Fiverr’s 2024 UK Future Workforce Index highlights a growing demand for AI skills, with over 80% of businesses willing to pay an average of 45% higher wages to secure candidates with this expertise.

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

A growing demand for freelancers and contractors

The demand for freelancers is set to keep rising as more companies embrace flexible work models. A report by Upwork reveals that nearly 50% of hiring managers intend to increase their use of freelancers over the next five years. This shift is driven by the need for specialised skills and cost-effective solutions.

• 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 is integral to success, freelancing has become a standard and essential part of many professionals’ careers. In addition to the growing trend of professionals seeking companies that align with their values and needs, freelancing offers a valuable opportunity to experience a company firsthand before committing to a full-time role.

Trust me – go 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

Another notable trend is optimism about the future of freelancers and contractors, especially when compared to full-time employees. This positive outlook is tied to the control freelancers have over their work. Many manage multiple clients or projects simultaneously, reducing their reliance on a single employer and providing greater financial stability, especially in uncertain economic times.

Additionally, freelancers are seeing an increase in contract opportunities as companies look for ways to manage risk and reduce costs.

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.”