Second jobs surge: side hustles become survival strategy for UK workers
One in five UK workers surveyed (21%) now hold more than one job, with younger workers particularly impacted as 42% of Gen Z workers surveyed say they are juggling multiple roles. That’s according to Employment Hero, with findings from its inaugural global Annual Jobs Report showing people are increasingly turning to second jobs as a financial survival strategy in the face of ongoing cost-of-living pressures and a slowing labour market.
The new report reveals the latest trends in the UK employment sector. The UK 2025 data is drawn from aggregated insights from more than 350,000 small businesses and 2 million employees in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, alongside a YouGov survey of 3,635 workers.
This multiple job trend is true even among those already in full-time employment, 17% are holding down additional jobs. Meanwhile, almost a third (29%) of all workers surveyed say they have taken on extra hours simply to cope with rising costs.
Once seen as a way to explore passions or build skills, side hustles have become an essential financial buffer for millions. This trend reflects a workforce under strain, adapting to rising costs, falling confidence and fewer opportunities in the job market.
Employment Hero’s report also reveals:
- The majority of UK employees surveyed (55%) are prioritising job security over ambition, a trend of “job-hugging” as workers cling to their current roles amid economic uncertainty.
- 59% of employees surveyed believe the UK labour market is getting worse, while more than half (51%) lack confidence in securing a new job within three months.
- Year-on-year employment growth has slowed significantly, from around 8% in 2024 to just 3.1% in July 2025.
Commenting on the findings, Kevin Fitzgerald, UK managing director at Employment Hero, said: “Our data shows how the side hustle has transformed from a choice into a necessity. One in five UK workers now hold multiple jobs, and almost a third are working longer hours just to keep up with rising everyday costs. While we are beginning to see early signs of recovery in employment, confidence is lagging far behind. Unless cost-of-living pressures ease, second jobs will remain less about opportunity and more about survival.”
Nina Skero, chief executive of CEBR, said: “Workers are facing a difficult balancing act; inflation continues to erode real wages, and job opportunities are thinning out. Against this backdrop, it’s no surprise that many are relying on second jobs to stay afloat. While this adaptability is impressive, it highlights the wider fragility of the UK’s labour market and the need for policies that restore both stability and confidence.”
Read the full findings in the UK 2025 Employment Hero Annual Jobs Report: Annual Jobs Report