The age of Russian freelance workers is growing, as an increasing number of Russians prefer being self-employed, according to the Freelancer Census report released by the Russian freelance exchange FL.ru and the Higher School of Economics.
The team conducted a similar research in 2014. The share of respondents who were independent contractors without longterm commitment to a specific employer has increased from 34% to 52% over the past five years.
Compared with 2014, the average age of a freelancer has also increased – more than half of them are older than 31.
The group of freelancers making from RUR 36,000 ($560) to RUR 60,000 ($930) a month has grown from 12.2% in 2014 to 26%; the number of people in the higher income bracket, RUR 60,000 – RUR 90,000 ($1,400), also rose, from less than 10% in 2014 to 14%. Still, the monthly income of 68% of such workers does not exceed RUR 60,000.
Most freelancers are employed in design (35%), advertising and marketing, as well as in consulting, the financial and legal sectors (25% each).
A total of 2,410 freelancers were surveyed.