{"id":"f-80ae245e0c-28242563-a49a-5855-88d7-75e078bf9fcf","title":"'Side Hustle Generation': Over 50% Of US Gen Z Opting For Extra Gigs Amid Economic Uncertainty","description":"At least 57% of Gen Z in the US now have side gigs, from retail to gig work, amid economic uncertainty and concerns over the impact of AI on jobs.","timestamp":1768236216,"category":"international","headline":"'Side Hustle Generation': Over 50% Of US Gen Z Opting For Extra Gigs Amid Economic Uncertainty","modifiedHeadline":"Gen Z Turns To Side Hustles Amid Economy Fears","subCategories":["scid_edbc7f13"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"f0174910-1006-4696-b0a0-c46669d6afc7","bundleTitle":"Boost your career","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"60","fcSummary":"Facing economic uncertainty, over half of Gen Z in the US are turning to side gigs for extra income and career fulfillment. They seek opportunities beyond traditional employment, driven by job anxiety, AI concerns, and the desire to monetize skills outside of a 9-to-5 job.","summary":"Amid economic fears, over 50% of US Gen Z embrace side hustles, from retail to gig work, signaling job insecurity in the age of AI.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/news/IN/en/news18/f-80ae245e0c-28242563-a49a-5855-88d7-75e078bf9fcf","sourceUrl":"https://www.news18.com/business/side-hustle-generation-over-50-of-us-gen-z-opting-for-extra-gigs-amid-economic-uncertainty-ws-el-9823634.html","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/uI4z8O2psas0.webp","content":"

Amid widespread economic uncertainty, more than half of the Gen Z population in the United States is opting for side gigs to navigate the job market and for extra cash.

At least 57% of Gen Z in the US now

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have side gigs, compared to 21% of boomers and older, according to The Harris Poll, which dubbed them “America’s first true ‘side hustle’ generation.”

Most of them are picking up side hustles, from retail to gig work, for extra cash. Younger people “want to work [and] find success, but many of them just feel disillusioned with the opportunities to get there through the traditional career ladder,” Glassdoor chief economist Daniel Zhao told Axios.

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Role Of AI

In an August report, Glassdoor researchers said that some of the youths are chasing creative or entrepreneurial goals. Moreover, AI and other technological advances have made it easier for professionals to monetise their skills and passions.

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“We’re witnessing a true side hustle generation where work identity lives outside of traditional employment. Additional commentary and research also shows that there’s a growing number of Employee+ workers who diversify income streams without abandoning job security,” Glassdoor said.

“For Gen Z, the day job funds the passion project. Work pays the bills, but identity and fulfilment can come from entrepreneurial pursuits, creative endeavours, or social causes they care about,” it added.

Why Are Gen-Z Opting For Side Gigs?

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One of the main reasons for this shift is job anxiety. Recent graduates are struggling to secure jobs, while those with them aren’t seeing the career growth they expect, according to Zhao.

Data shows that the financial optimism for college students has fallen to their lowest level since 2018, mostly due to concerns over unemployment and ‘AI-induced layoffs’. The advent of AI remains the most pressing concern among young workers.

As per The Harris Poll, Gen Z is the first generation for whom a 9-to-5 job isn’t essential for achieving financial success. Side hustles are not merely distractions or fallback options; they are central to Gen Z’s identity, offering creative, entrepreneurial, or activist outlets that main jobs cannot supply.

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“It definitely makes me feel more financially secure,” Katie Arce, who works full-time in e-commerce and picks up shifts at a vintage clothing store in Austin, Texas, told Axios.

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'Side Hustle Generation': Over 50% Of US Gen Z Opting For Extra Gigs Amid Economic Uncertainty

SUMMARY