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Freelancer Confidence Index hub

IPSE’s Confidence Index is a quarterly report that tracks the business performance and economic outlook of freelancers across the UK. It is the only established index of its kind, using rigorously tested methodology and a representative sample of the freelance sector. 
The index was created both to inform policy on freelancers and to ensure that their vital contribution is understood and recognised. The aim is for the Confidence Index to be the authoritative indicator used by policymakers at the heart of industry and government.

Confidence timeline

 

Longitudinal report

How freelancers respond to an uncertain economy: ​​​​​​​A longitudinal report on seven years of Confidence Index data

This longitudinal report is the culmination of seven years’ worth of Confidence Index research and analysis. For the first time, we are able to look back and examine the trends. We can see the effect that political decisions and macro-economic variables have had on freelancers’ confidence and understand the impact of these factors by setting them in the wider context over a longer period of time.

View longitudinal report

2020 Q2 key findings

 

Freelancers expect the UK economy to deteriorate even further in the next year, with a 12-month UK economy index score of -53.4.

The coronavirus pandemic (81.1%) is now not only the top negative influence on freelancers’ businesses, but it is also selected as a top factor by all three freelancer occupational groups.

 

In Q2 2020, freelancers’ spare capacity reached an unprecedented record high of 5.5 weeks, increasing substantially since Q1 2020 when it was at 3.3 weeks.

The great decline in capacity utilisation alongside a slight fall in day rates led to a large 25 per cent drop in quarterly earnings from £20,821 in Q1 2020 to £15,709 in Q2 2020.

 

 

Latest report

Freelancer Confidence Index Q2 2020

In the second quarter (Q2) of 2020, freelancers’ average income dropped by a record 25 per cent, according to the latest Freelancer Confidence Index.

The drop in income was driven by a sharp fall in the average number of weeks freelancers worked this quarter. Between March and June, the average freelancer went 5.5 weeks out of 13 without work. Combined with a 3 per cent fall in freelancers’ average day rates, this led to average quarterly earnings declining by 25 per cent from £20,821 in Q1 2020 to £15,709 in Q2 2020.

 

Freelancer Confidence Index Q2 2020

2020 Q1 key findings

 

The 12-month freelancer business confidence index fell substantially from -23.2 to -57.3, showing that freelancers expect the deterioration of their business performance to continue over the next year.

Freelancers’ earnings have also fallen by 8.4 per cent over the first quarter of 2020.

 

Freelancers expect a further decrease of 20% in their day rates over the next year.

Freelancers’ spare capacity amounts to 3.3 weeks in Q1 2020, which is the second highest level of spare capacity since surveys began.

Where were we just 3 months ago?

Freelancer Confidence Index Q1 2020

The first quarter (Q1) of 2019 has proven to be very tough for freelancers as they have experienced a 17 per cent decline in income comprised of both a fall in their day rates and the volume of business undertaken. 

Day rates have declined by 15 per cent from £474 to £405 while spare capacity has risen by four percentage points from 21 per cent to 25 percent.

 

Freelancer Confidence Index Q1 2020

Previous reports

Earlier reports 

FCI 2018 reports

 

FCI 2017 reports

 

FCI 2016 reports

 

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