Freelancing is a popular career choice all over the world. But some countries stand out among the rest as being the top freelancing countries.
Whether you want to know which country has the most freelancers or where the best freelancers come from, this article will give you all the stats you need.
Note: Many sources report incorrect figures here. For example, some say 78% of the US workforce is made up of freelancers, while others say this is how much freelancer earnings increased in the past year.
I’ve even seen one source say the US freelance workforce has grown by 78% and then immediately below that say that is actually the figure for year-over-year earnings growth rates instead.
I have also linked directly to the sources of the numbers I’ve used. Many other articles are just linking to other articles that link to other articles and so on, and I think this has led to a lot of confusion about what some of the numbers actually mean.
So, finding accurate stats on this topic is tough to say the least (plus, what sources count as a freelancer often varies). But this guide aims to cover the most important trends.
Top Freelancing Countries By Average Earnings
Below is a chart summarizing the average earnings of freelancers across the globe. Note that these numbers are going to vary A LOT depending on the source you use.
And they’ll often be skewed by freelancers working for high-paying clients overseas.
So don’t take these numbers as an estimate of what you’ll earn in these countries. It just helps illustrate the broad trends across the world.
1. USA
Number of Freelancers: 80 million | Average Freelancer Earnings: $88K/year
There are around 80 million freelancers in the USA. This is a massive proportion of the population never mind the workforce, and it shows just how popular this career path is in the country.
The average freelancer’s yearly salary is around $88K for those in the US. Clearly this will vary a lot depending on the specific industry, but it’s a lucrative salary nonetheless.
2. UK
Number of Freelancers: 2.05 million | Average Freelancer Earnings: £65K/year ($82K)
Freelancer earnings are high in the UK, with Totaljobs.com suggesting it’s around £65K per year, and Plane.com suggesting it’s closer to £45K. However, this is going to depend a lot on your industry. For example, freelance writers in the UK make around £14.43 per hour, but web developers charge between £40 and £70.
There are just over 2 million UK freelancers, which is a much smaller number (obviously) and proportion than the USA figure. However, other sources put this figure much higher, such as Payoneer, who put the figure at more than 4 million back in 2022.
Regardless, the UK’s massive talent pool in industries ranging from journalism to finance make it a hot spot for those seeking freelance talent. It’s therefore an excellent place to start freelancing if you’re interested in the career path.
3. Germany
Number of Freelancers: 1.5 million | Average Freelancer Earnings: €55K/year ($57K)
There are around 1.5 million freelancers in Germany per a Forbes quote. Salaries are estimated to be around €55K per year.
Shortages of skills and changes in the demographics have led to big shifts in the German job market, and many CEOs in the country are turning to freelancing talent to fill in the gaps.
4. Canada
Number of Freelancers: 2.7 million (self-employed) | Average Freelancer Earnings: CA$71K/year ($51K USD)
It’s hard to find solid data on the number of freelancers in Canada, with some sources suggesting there are 1.7 million in the country. However, we can see there are at least 2.7 million “self-employed” people in Canada, so 1.7 million wouldn’t be an unreasonable estimate.
Canadian freelancers can expect to earn about $71K on average, equivalent to around $51K USD. 3D design and animation are the fastest growing freelance jobs in Canada, with photoshop and logo design also on the rise.
5. Ukraine
Number of Freelancers: 3 million (self-employed) | Average Freelancer Earnings: ₴1.7M/year ($41K)
It’s hard to find a figure for the number of freelancers in Ukraine, especially since the war broke out in 2022, displacing many from their homes.
However, Trading Economics estimates there are 3 million self-employed people in Ukraine, and another study suggested there were 500,000 freelancers online in Ukraine in 2018.
It’s therefore likely the number is somewhere between 500,000 and 3 million. Salaries vary widely, with estimates of around ₴1.7M per year. This is way higher than the average salary for the country (closer to $6K USD), so if it’s accurate, I suspect it’s skewed by those working remotely for clients in other countries.
6. Philippines
Number of Freelancers: 1.5 million (online) | Average Freelancer Earnings: ₱420K/year ($7.3K)
There are at least 1.5 million freelancers in the Philippines, but that number only represents the number Payoneer found to be “online” freelancers. The average salary a freelancer in the Philippines can expect to earn is equivalent to just over $7K per year.
Many businesses turn to the Philippines for virtual assistant jobs and other similar roles. High education levels and English literacy rates make it a hotspot for foreign businesses looking for cheaper talent overseas.
7. India
Number of Freelancers: 15 million | Average Freelancer Earnings: ₹370K/year ($4.3K)
The number of freelancers in India is widely touted as 15 million, but there are no definitive sources for this. However, it’s not hard to imagine the number being this large. As for salary, it’s equivalent to about $4.3K per year.
Wages in India are low compared with much of the world, making it another popular outsourcing destination. Content marketing, web development and digital marketing are popular freelancing roles in India.
8. Brazil
Number of Freelancers: 25.5 million (self-employed) | Average Freelancer Earnings: R$24K/year ($4K)
There are 25+ million freelancers in Brazil, with many working remotely on projects overseas. Earnings vary greatly, with remote freelancer salaries estimated to be around R$260K per year, equivalent to about $43K.
However this is many times the average salary for Brazilians (about $7K USD), so I would estimate this figure is skewed majorly by those working on projects for high-paying clients in other countries. Other estimates put it closer to $4K/year.
That will be a common theme as we continue down this list, and it is what makes freelancing such a lucrative opportunity for many around the world.
Having access to markets with higher wages can allow people in poorer countries to earn more money. However, this isn’t always true, as many clients will look to these countries for cheaper work.
9. Pakistan
Number of Freelancers: 3 million | Average Freelancer Earnings: Rs 600K/year ($1.5K)
There are an estimated 3 million freelancers in Pakistan, earning about Rs 600K per year. However, as for many other countries on this list, finding exact figures for freelancers is tough, as many sources simply total up the number of self-employed people.
There is a key distinction to make though. If you’re interested in hiring freelancers, you’re not looking for those registered as self-employed that actually run their own lawncare service or 20-person team (even though they may be registered as self-employed).
Nonetheless, Pakistan is an excellent place to source fairly low cost freelancing talent, but it’s important to still pay a fair wage. If you’re looking to become a freelancer in Pakistan, it’s definitely a popular choice, and there are even dedicated freelance marketplaces, like WorkChest.
Which Country Has The Most Freelancers?
The USA is the country with the most freelancers, with an estimated total of 79.6 million people in the freelance workforce. This is almost 40% of the American workforce.
However, it’s important to note that the number of freelancers can vary depending on how they are defined and measured. The “freelancers” label covers a wide range of professionals who work independently, including consultants, contractors, gig workers, and self-employed individuals.
The classification and identification of freelancers can differ across countries, making it difficult to pinpoint a single country with the most freelancers.
Some sources suggest all self-employed people are freelancers, while others separate them. Check out our guide on freelancing vs self-employment for more details on how we define them.
Ultimately, the number of freelancers in a country is influenced by factors such as economic conditions, labor market dynamics, technological advancements, and cultural attitudes towards self-employment.
The gig economy continues to evolve globally, and freelancing is becoming an increasingly popular choice for individuals seeking flexibility, autonomy, and diverse professional opportunities.
Which Country Has The Best Freelancers?
Determining which country has the “best” freelancers is subjective and can depend on various factors. These include expertise, skill sets, and even personal preferences.
Freelancers from different countries excel in different fields. And what may be considered “the best” can vary based on individual requirements and project demands.
With that said, several countries are renowned for producing highly skilled freelancers across various industries. Here are just a few notable examples:
- United States: The United States is home to a vast pool of talented freelancers known for their expertise in fields like technology, design, marketing, and creative services.
- Germany: Known for its precision and engineering prowess, Germany has a reputation for producing exceptional freelancers in sectors like the automotive, engineering, and manufacturing industries.
- Ukraine: Ukraine has gained recognition for its highly skilled IT freelancers. With a strong focus on computer science education, Ukrainian freelancers excel in software development, web development, cybersecurity, and related tech fields.
- Canada: Canada boasts a thriving freelance community across industries such as technology, creative services, writing, and consulting.
- Philippines: The Philippines is renowned for its English proficiency and skilled freelancers in areas like virtual assistance, content writing, customer service, and graphic design.
Chris is the creator of Freelance Ready. He originally started freelancing (on Fiverr) while at university, writing and editing website content. He created this website to share his freelancing experience and help others on their own self-employed journeys. He is now a freelance SEO consultant and content editor. You can learn more about Chris here.
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