European Labor Market: Number of European Freelance Professionals Soars

A recent report on  ‘independent professionals’ working in Europe shows that the number of European freelancers has grown by over 80% since 2000.

The study, published by Stéphane Rapelli on behalf of the European Forum of Independent Professionals (EFIP), shows that while the number of standard employees stagnated over the past decade, the number of freelancers has risen by 82%.  EFIP is a pan European group of bodies that represent the needs of Independent, freelance, self employed and contract workers.

Some of the key findings of this report are that the top 4 freelance nations by numbers of these independent professionals are in Italy – 1.69m, Britain 1.61m, Germany – 1.53m and France– 0.73.

Many of these freelancers work in technical, scientific and professional areas, although there are major differences between countries. 53% are educated to degree level, and 61% are aged between 25 and 49.

Of more interest, perhaps, is the change in freelance numbers over the past three years, since the economic downturn hit the continent.

The number of freelancers has boomed in certain states – notably France (up 36%), the UK (up 25%), and Germany (up 24%), but has declined in Italy (down 1%) and Spain (down 9%).

In the area of Internet marketing Britain remains Europe's  no 1 country hiring the most free lance specialized digital marketers and has continued to grow even faster than most markets with an increase from April last year of 215%, compared to the global average of 124%.

In the past year, Internet marketing spending increased in Britain by 279%. Germany (255%), Switzerland (127%) and Austria (270%) also experience dramatic growth.

The advantages of working freelance, however, do not come without hard work and dedication for success. In an economic climate with high unemployment rates and with wages stagnating as companies and businesses in Europe are trying to make savings, freelance work is expected to increase as it is seen as an attractive alternative and cost cutting benefit to having full time employees.

For graduates leaving University, freelance work seems like a sensible and viable option to make. Presently the average professional freelancer working +40 hours a week can earn approximately euro 68.000 a year, more than double the averageEuropean  professional worker’s salary of euro 31.000

This trend in the western world's labor environment is expected not only to produce a more competitive and productive workforce, but also turn the presently weakened labor force into more of an independent and united force as it relates to the global corporate world.

EU-Digest