Nine out of ten freelancers want to maintain their status, according to a study by freelancing platform Malt, as reported in La Libre Belgique on Wednesday.
The study surveyed over 5,000 freelancers in six countries and found that 67.5% of respondents chose this career path due to personal motivation, not external factors. Only 10% of freelancers are actively seeking full-time conventional employment.
The study focused on workers who offer selected tasks to companies with which they wish to collaborate and set their own rates. "This market is booming. We estimate that there are over 300,000 freelancers in Belgium," noted Malik Azzouzi, the Belgian manager of the Malt platform.
The reasons that compel companies to hire freelancers have also evolved. "It is no longer a temporary substitute; companies are seeking real expertise. Over nine in ten freelancers previously held full-time employment, and over half have more than seven years of experience. Our study further reveals that, in Belgium for instance, 69% of freelancers believe they possess more specific skills than their clients."
The most self-assured freelancers, encompassing all surveyed countries, work in tech and data (82%), support roles (82%), and business consulting (81%).
