The number of self-employed workers currently active in the UK is on a downward spiral, with recent statistics showing that numbers are at their lowest since 2015. The figures were provided by German-based market research company Statista and show that there were just over 4.1 million self-employed workers in the UK during November last year - a 5 per cent decline from the same time in 2020 and 15 per cent down on 2019.

The UK’s self-employment industry previously enjoyed a near 60 per cent growth from 3.2 million in December 2000 to its peak of over five million at the start of 2020. But now, partly due to the pandemic, it is at levels not seen since mid-2015.

Why are numbers falling?

The Coronavirus pandemic is largely responsible for the downturn. Self-employed workers were among those hit hard financially early on, with travel restrictions and work from home advice limiting the work they could carry out. 

The Government introduced its self-employment income support scheme (SEISS) in March 2020, however, only up to £7,500 could be claimed and some workers such as recent starters were ineligible. Some workers may have chosen to leave self-employment in search of more stability and the guarantee of a salary each month.

How does the future look?

As effects of the pandemic die down, it’s likely that self-employed numbers will begin to rise again. The sector has long been dominated by middle-aged males in trades such as plumbing, building and construction. However, the number of women choosing to become their own boss grew by 1 per cent last year. With flexible working becoming increasingly popular, we can expect to see freelancers such as writers and marketers accounting for a larger proportion of the industry in the near future.