Marvin Onumonu70% of Gen Z said having several ways to earn money was essential for financial security, according to Fiverr’s annual Next Gen of Work survey.
More than half (57%) believed the old way of working in one job would soon be out of date.
Almost half (47%) of Gen Z said their biggest worry was not earning enough to live comfortably, with nearly a quarter (24%) saying they feared their pay would not keep up with rising prices.
When asked about the best path for the next ten years, most said ‘following the money’, then building a range of clients and skills, and switching jobs to get ahead.
The average age for starting freelance work was 19, with 72% of those already doing it starting before they turned 21.
Gen Alpha, though younger, also showed interest in freelancing, with 35% expecting to do it in the future.
Their top goal was financial comfort, with 61% picking this over early retirement, remote work, or owning a business.
Job cuts and artificial intelligence (AI) were less of a worry than expected.
Only 13% of Gen Z said they were concerned about being laid off.
Fears about being replaced by AI were even lower, at 11% for Gen Z and just 2% for Gen Alpha.
Instead, young people were open to using AI to help with work.
Most said they trusted AI to handle parts of their job, mainly for coming up with ideas (24%), communicating (23%), analysing data (23%), upskilling (21%) and creative work (21%).
Gen Alpha mainly used AI for communication, while Gen Z used it to brainstorm.
Stereotypes about Gen Z and Gen Alpha wanting to be influencers or not wanting to work were not backed up by the research.
Asked about the biggest myths older people hold, 25% said being called lazy, 22% said everyone wanted to be an influencer, and 20% said they were seen as wanting too much too soon.
Instead, most were looking for steady jobs, flexibility, and a chance to get on.
Flexible hours (44%) and good pay (41%) topped the list of what they wanted from employers, with nearly half (45%) also wanting a workplace that matches their values.
Only 16% said remote working mattered, down from previous years.
Michelle Baltrusitis, associate director of community and social impact at Fiverr, said: “Young people are entering one of the most challenging UK labour markets in decades, with inflation, job insecurity and AI disruption reshaping career choices.
“They are rewriting the rules of work, as the single-salary model loses relevance.
“For many, freelancing offers a way to take control: building multiple income streams, gaining new skills and creating the flexibility that the traditional 9-5 often can’t provide.”
