The World Bank estimates 154 million to 435 million online gig workers worldwide, 4.4% to 12.5% of the global labour force. On the two biggest platforms, Upwork's freelancer fee ranges from 0% to 15% per contract and Fiverr takes 20% of each order, according to their help centres.
Last checked October 2026.
If you're deciding where to freelance, the numbers that matter are how many people do it, how many clients each platform has and what each platform keeps from every job. Those are all published somewhere, in World Bank research, company filings with the SEC and the platforms' own help centres. I've put them in one table with each source named, so you can compare like with like.
Freelancing platforms fact table
| What | The number | Source | Refers to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online gig workers worldwide | An estimated 154 million to 435 million online gig workers worldwide | World Bank, Working Without Borders (2023) | 2023 report |
| Share of global labour force | Online gig work is 4.4% to 12.5% of the global labour force | World Bank, Working Without Borders (2023) | 2023 report |
| Gig platforms and countries | 545 online gig work platforms, with workers and clients in 186 countries | World Bank press release, 7 Sep 2023 | Sep 2023 (World Bank press release) |
| US freelancers (Upwork survey) | 64 million Americans freelanced in 2023, 38% of the US workforce (Upwork's own survey) | Upwork investor relations news release | 2023 (Freelance Forward 2023, released 12 Dec 2023) |
| Gen Z freelancing (Upwork survey) | 52% of Gen Z and 44% of Millennial professionals freelanced in 2023 | Upwork investor relations news release | 2023 (Freelance Forward 2023) |
| Upwork freelancer service fee | Upwork freelancer service fee ranges from 0% to 15% per contract | Upwork Help Center | Oct 2026 (help centre) |
| When Upwork's variable fee began | Variable freelancer fees introduced for new contracts from May 2025 | Upwork Inc. Form 10-K (SEC) | Upwork 10-K for 2025 (filed 13 Feb 2026) |
| Upwork active clients | 763,000 active clients, down 4% year on year | Upwork Q2 2026 results (SEC Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1) | 30 Jun 2026 |
| Upwork skills and categories | More than 10,000 skills across over 130 categories of work | Upwork Inc. Form 10-K (SEC) | Upwork 10-K for 2025 |
| Fiverr seller fee | Fiverr takes 20% of each order; sellers keep 80% | Fiverr Help Center | Oct 2026 (help centre) |
| Fiverr buyer service fee | Fiverr adds a standard 5.5% service fee to buyer purchases (plus a small flat fee on smaller orders) | Fiverr Help Center | Oct 2026 (help centre) |
| Fiverr annual active buyers | 2.7 million annual active buyers, down 21.9% year on year | Fiverr Q2 2026 results (SEC Form 6-K, Exhibit 99.1) | 30 Jun 2026 |
| Fiverr take rate | Fiverr's take rate was 28.0% (up from 27.6%) | Fiverr Q2 2026 results (SEC Form 6-K, Exhibit 99.1) | 12 months to 30 Jun 2026 |
| Fiverr founded | Fiverr was incorporated in April 2010 | Fiverr International Ltd. Form 20-F (SEC) | Fiverr 20-F for 2025 (filed 12 Mar 2026) |
How many people freelance online
The World Bank's Working Without Borders (2023) report estimates 154 million to 435 million online gig workers worldwide, which is 4.4% to 12.5% of the global labour force. That's a wide range because the World Bank combined several ways of counting. The World Bank press release added that there are 545 online gig work platforms, with workers and clients in 186 countries.
In the US, an Upwork investor relations news release on its own Freelance Forward survey said 64 million Americans freelanced in 2023, 38% of the US workforce, and that 52% of Gen Z and 44% of Millennial professionals freelanced that year. Keep in mind that's Upwork's survey, not a government count.
Upwork's fees and size
The Upwork Help Center says the freelancer service fee ranges from 0% to 15% per contract. According to the Upwork Inc. Form 10-K (SEC), this variable fee was introduced for new contracts from May 2025, and Upwork lists more than 10,000 skills across over 130 categories of work. Upwork's Q2 2026 results report 763,000 active clients, down 4% year on year.
For a full walkthrough, see my complete guide to freelancing on Upwork.
Fiverr's fees and size
The Fiverr Help Center says Fiverr takes 20% of each order, so sellers keep 80%, and adds a standard 5.5% service fee to buyer purchases. Fiverr's Q2 2026 results report 2.7 million annual active buyers, down 21.9% year on year, and a take rate of 28.0%, up from 27.6%. The Fiverr International Ltd. Form 20-F says the company was incorporated in April 2010.
Comparing the two platforms
On fees, Fiverr's seller cut is a flat 20%, while Upwork's freelancer fee moves between 0% and 15% depending on the contract. On size, both reported fewer buyers or clients than a year earlier in their Q2 2026 results. Neither number tells you how hard or easy it'll be to win work in your skill, so treat them as context rather than a reason to pick one.
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Wherever you find clients, the admin is the same. These guides help: when a freelancer should send an invoice, invoicing a company as an individual, invoicing software for freelancers compared and the AI tools worth using as a freelancer.
How to read these freelancing numbers
- Ranges are honest, not vague. The World Bank range is wide because counting online gig work is hard. Quote the range, not one end of it.
- Company surveys aren't official statistics. The Upwork Freelance Forward numbers come from Upwork's own research, so name it when you use them.
- Fees change. Upwork moved to a variable fee in 2025. Check the help centres before you set your rates.
- Fewer buyers doesn't mean less work for you. A falling platform total can still leave plenty of demand in a particular skill.
- Location matters for getting your earnings out. Readers in South Asia should also read freelancing sites for beginners in Pakistan and freelancing in Bangladesh.
Where these numbers come from
Every number on this page comes from one of these named sources. I haven't linked them, so search the source name if you want to read the original.
- World Bank, Working Without Borders (2023)
- World Bank press release, 7 Sep 2023
- Upwork Help Center
- Upwork Inc. Form 10-K (SEC)
- Upwork Q2 2026 results (SEC Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1)
- Fiverr Help Center
- Fiverr Q2 2026 results (SEC Form 6-K, Exhibit 99.1)
- Fiverr International Ltd. Form 20-F (SEC)
- Upwork investor relations news release
Frequently asked questions
How many people freelance online worldwide?
The World Bank's Working Without Borders (2023) report estimates 154 million to 435 million online gig workers, 4.4% to 12.5% of the global labour force.
What fee does Upwork charge freelancers?
The Upwork Help Center says the freelancer service fee ranges from 0% to 15% per contract.
What fee does Fiverr charge sellers?
The Fiverr Help Center says Fiverr takes 20% of each order, so sellers keep 80%.
How many active buyers does Fiverr have?
Fiverr's Q2 2026 results report 2.7 million annual active buyers, down 21.9% year on year.
How many Americans freelance?
Upwork's own Freelance Forward survey said 64 million Americans freelanced in 2023, 38% of the US workforce.
