The side hustle has shifted from a fringe pursuit to a mainstream feature of working life in the UK, as growing numbers of people seek extra income and, in many cases, abandon traditional employment altogether.
According to recent figures, nearly two in five adults (39%) in the UK have launched a side hustle in 2025. Google also reports searches for the term have risen more than threefold since the end of the pandemic. Analysts say the combination of Covid-era isolation, a turbulent job market, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis has driven people to explore alternative income streams.
The rise of accessible digital tools and platforms has made this shift easier than ever. Social media enables entrepreneurs to build audiences around even the most niche products, while online marketplaces provide ready-made channels for sales. eBay, now nearing its 30th anniversary, is often credited with pioneering this trend, but newer platforms are driving record growth. Clothing resale app Vinted, for example, boosted its revenues by 36% between 2023 and 2024, rising from €596 million to €813 million.
Design platforms are also playing a role. Canva, which offers low-cost creative tools for small businesses, has seen its global user base more than double in two years, growing from 100 million in 2023 to 220 million in 2025. UK print specialist Where The Trade Buys has even launched new services to support budding entrepreneurs in turning their digital designs into professional packaging, labels, and marketing material.
“Helping people transform their ideas into usable, professional-looking products can make the difference between saving a little on the side and building a sustainable career,” said Emma Thomson of Where The Trade Buys. “For many, tools like Canva are the first step to leaving the nine-to-five behind.”
The financial rewards are also becoming more significant. Data shows that the share of digital microbusinesses earning more than £100,000 annually has jumped from 11% in 2022 to 17% in 2024, marking a 55% increase in just two years. Figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal company registrations in the first quarter of 2025 rose 2.8% year-on-year to 89,515. Online retail stands out as a particularly strong performer, with a 9.1% increase over the same period, the highest growth among all sectors.
Younger generations appear especially invested in the trend. Surveys suggest 61% of Generation Z already run side hustles, reflecting a desire for flexibility and independence in how they earn a living.
“The stats prove this is unlikely to be a passing phase,” Thomson added. “For many, especially younger workers, taking full control of their income is no longer a daunting prospect but an exciting opportunity.”
With the trend accelerating, the side hustle looks increasingly set to become a permanent fixture of the UK economy.
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