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U.S. Independent Workforce Remains Strong, According to MBO Partners' 8th Annual State of Independence ReportThe independent workforce is strong, mature and evolving amidst the overall U.S. economy's solid growth, according to MBO Partners, the nation's largest provider of business services and tools to the self-employed and companies who engage them. The company today released its 2018 State of Independence in America Report, the country's longest-running end-to-end study of the American independent workforce. Despite record-low unemployment rates, the 2018 report finds that the total number independent workers has risen 2.2 percent to 41.8 million, up from 40.9 million in 2017. Between January 2011 and January 2018, the U.S. economy added 17 million payroll jobs, but in that same period, the number American's choosing independent work has remained relatively flat. "These stats indicate that independent work and traditional jobs are not engaged in a zero-sum fight, but rather, growing in unison," said Gene Zaino, CEO of MBO Partners. "People from all industries choose to become independent professionals, and the key word here is 'choose.'" MBO's eighth annual report, the longest running of its kind, found that nearly two in three full-time independent workers say that it's their choice entirely to work independently, compared to half of full-time independent workers in 2014. And they're happy with their choice: 79 percent of all full-time independents report that they are happier working on their own than in a traditional job, and 68 percent said working on their own isbetter for their health. With each passing year, independents account for a larger amount of U.S. economic activity. In 2017, independent workers generated roughly $1.3 trillion of revenue for the U.S. economy, equal to about 6.7 percent of U.S. GDP. One in five full-time independents-3.3 million people-are "high-earning independents" who make more than $100,000. Three key trends emerged from this year's study:
"For the eighth year running, our research shows that engaging the independent workforce is increasingly an integral part of doing business, especially for large enterprises," said Zaino. "As the demand for skilled independents continues to rise, we can expect the numbers of high-earning independents to keep growing as well." For more information or to obtain a copy of the 8th annual State of Independence report, please visit https://www.mbopartners.com/state-of-independence. About MBO Partners MBO Partners has the industry's only complete business operating system for independent workers, offering technology solutions that make it easy for self-employed professionals and their clients to do business. By re-envisioning and streamlining the entire contract talent acquisition and engagement lifecycle, MBO improves how independents operate and succeed while helping enterprises reduce risk and get the best return on their contractor investments. To learn more, visit www.mbopartners.com.
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