Freelancers forced to look overseas for work as UK job market freezes

SPECIAL REPORT

As UK companies tighten their belts and freeze hiring, a growing number of freelancers and contractors could soon be packing their laptops and heading for high-growth markets such as Asia. We look at which jobs are in high demand and their average rates.

The entire global freelance economy is set to more than double from $7.65 billion this year to $16.54 billion by 2030, according to Researchandmarkets.com. In comparison, the UK freelance market is expected to grow at a respectable 17% annually through 2030, yet there’s a hiring freeze going on, unlike the freelance economy of the Asia-Pacific, which is flying at 21.47%.

UK-based freelancers watching their domestic opportunities dry up must consider what could be a career-defining move and market themselves to international clients. It‘s not like freelancers can just pop back into traditional salaried work either.

As previously reported by The Freelance Informer, the Institute of Directors warns of an extended hiring freeze as 72% of UK executives predict a negative growth impact. Plus, over a third of leaders (36%) are likely to outsource roles or operations to other countries.

Why Asia’s job growth is outpacing the UK’s

If you’re a UK freelancer still focusing only on the home market, you’re ignoring where most of the growth is happening. Take Singapore, for example, where business transformation specialists are commanding day rates of up to $1,200. Or Indonesia, where strategy consultants pull in $1,250 daily. Compare that to the current hiring freeze gripping much of corporate Britain, and it’s no wonder UK freelancers are getting their passports ready or, at the very least, negotiating a remote working contract via the UK.

Competition could be fierce. Freelancer registrations have surged 88% across Southeast Asia, whilst Australia has seen a 122% jump. Meanwhile, back home, UK freelancers are increasingly worried about job security (60% cite this as a major concern) and clients not paying up (54%).

It’s not just about the money, though that’s obviously important. It’s about where the opportunities actually exist. Asian companies are embracing digital transformation in ways that many UK firms are still talking about. This is especially the case when it comes to infrastructure and sustainability investment, according to Siemens.

Siemens found that 38% of UK businesses surveyed are likely to increase investment in digital technologies in 2025, compared to a global average of 58%. This leaves the UK lagging far behind countries including Canada (72%), China (70%), Italy (64%), and Germany (54%) when it comes to likely investment in digitalisation in the coming year. Siemens says that limiting the uptake of digital technologies in infrastructure risks widening the UK productivity gap.

Skills that travel well

The most successful British freelancers heading overseas aren’t generalists even though that could change, according to tech workplace strategists. They’re specialists in exactly the areas where Asian companies are desperate for help. AI expertise tops the list, with generative AI modelling seeing 220% year-on-year growth. Experienced AI developers in North America are charging $150-250 per hour, and Asian markets are proving equally lucrative.

But it’s not just about coding. There’s a curious dual narrative when it comes to freelancer demand. On the one hand, everyone wants AI experts, there’s an equally explosive need for human-centric roles. Career coaching has grown 74% year-on-year, as companies grapple with helping their teams navigate rapid technological change.

The sweet spot is combining technical expertise with human skills. For example, a freelancer who can build an AI system and then help a company actually implement it, that’s a winning ticket in the talent stakes in markets such as Singapore or Hong Kong.

Cybersecurity specialists are also cleaning up, with ethical hackers commanding up to $250 per hour and penetration testing projects reaching $10,000. Blockchain developers aren’t far behind, with the Web3 market projected to hit $94 billion by 2027.

Finding overseas clients via platforms

The rise of regional platforms is making it easier for UK freelancers to access growth markets. Whilst Upwork and Fiverr remain the global giants, platforms such as Jobbers.io are gaining traction in Southeast Asia with their zero-commission model, allowing freelancers to keep 100% of their earnings.

You’ve got global platforms for broad reach, but increasingly you need to be on local platforms to really crack specific markets. In Japan, that might be Crowdworks or Lancers.jp. Each market has its own ecosystem.

The commission structures vary wildly, too. Emerging platforms can often charge nothing. For freelancers operating on tight margins, those percentage points add up quickly.

Top in-demand freelance skills for international markets (2025-2030)

This table provides a consolidated overview of the most lucrative and sought-after skills, offering UK freelancers a guide for identifying areas for upskilling or specialisation.

Sources: UpWork, Wise, Fueler.io, HRAsia

Freelance rates in high-demand roles (Asia & Australia)

In Australia, independent professionals can expect to earn between AUD 700 and AUD 1500 per day, depending on the specific skill and experience level. Experienced professionals with 11-15 years of experience average AUD 1,000 per day, with top skills potentially exceeding AUD 1,500 per day.

For freelance web developers in Australia, hourly rates typically range from AUD 40 to AUD 180. Specifically, back-end developers average AUD 80 to AUD 140 per hour, while full-stack web developers generally charge AUD 80 to AUD 150 per hour, with some earning over AUD 180. The average hourly rate for freelancers in Australia is approximately $30.98 USD (AU$ 49.43).

Southeast Asia Across Southeast Asia (including Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, and Indonesia), independent talent is engaged at rates ranging from USD 250 to USD 1600 per day.  

Specific Southeast Asian Countries:

Singapore:

• Business transformation specialists: USD 575 to USD 1200 per day  
• Data and analytics experts: USD 350 to USD 925 per day  
• Marketing and product management specialists: USD 460 to USD 925 per day  
• The average hourly rate for freelancers in Singapore is approximately $18.79 USD (S$25.43

Malaysia:

• Project managers: USD 225 to USD 835 per day  
• Data and analytics talent: USD 250 to USD 725 per day  

Indonesia:

• Strategy consultants: USD 425 to USD 1250 per day  
• Product management specialists: USD 225 to USD 625 per day  

India

For high-paying freelance jobs in India, the following monthly and hourly rates have been reported:

• Freelance Software Developer: INR 1,500–INR 4,000 per hour
• UI/UX Designer: INR 70,000 to INR 1,50,000 per month
• Digital Marketing Expert: INR 50,000–INR 1,00,000 per month
• Content Writer: INR 30,000–INR 80,000 per month
• Video Editor: INR 40,000 to INR 90,000 per month
• Web Developer: INR 50,000–INR 1,20,000 per month
• Mobile App Developer: INR 70,000–INR 1,50,000 per month
• Data Analyst: INR 60,000 to INR 1,40,000 per month
• Virtual Assistant: INR 25,000–INR 60,000 per month
• Translator/Transcriber: INR 20,000–INR 50,000 per month
• Graphic Designer:
  • Beginner (0–1 years): INR 300–INR 800 per hour (INR 20,000–INR 40,000 monthly).
  • Intermediate (1–3 years): INR 800–INR 1,500 per hour (INR 40,000–INR 80,000 monthly).
  • Experienced (3+ years): INR 1,500–INR 3,000+ per hour (INR 80,000–INR 1,50,000+ monthly). The average hourly rate for freelancers in India is approximately $3.39 USD (₹296.61).

Japan

For freelancers in Japan, average hourly rates for in-demand skills include:

• English Tutor: 1,200-2,000 JPY
• Web Development/Design: 3,000-6,000 JPY
• Event Management: 5,000-7,000 JPY
• Copywriting: 5,500-7,500 JPY
• Social Media Management: 5,000-7,000 JPY
• Graphic Design: 4,000-7,000 JPY
• Video Editing: 5,000-7,000 JPY
• Transcription: 4,000-6,000 JPY

Cultural cues

The biggest challenge facing UK freelancers looking for work overseas isn’t always technical, but cultural. Direct communication styles that work perfectly in London can fall flat in markets where relationship-building and indirect communication are the norm.

Some freelancers might learn the hard way. For example, sending a blunt project update to a Japanese client won’t be the best approach. There’s a whole language of politeness and relationship-building that you need to master. However, once you do, client loyalty can be incredible.

The mobile-first nature of Asian markets also catches many British freelancers off-guard. Whilst UK developers might design for desktop first, Asian clients expect everything to be optimised for smartphones from day one. It’s not a nice-to-have, it’s fundamental.

Cultural adaptation extends to marketing, too. Colours carry different meanings (red signifies luck in China), local social media platforms dominate (WeChat, Line, Naver), and what works in a British campaign might completely miss the mark in Bangkok or Seoul.

Plus, if you are looking to work with clients closer to home in Europe, sometimes digital nomads and tourists get lumped into the same pot, so be on top of the latest rules, often geared for foreigners.

Practical headaches: red tape comes with any new territory

Tax obligations can become complex when you’re earning in multiple currencies from clients across different jurisdictions. UK freelancers remain liable for tax on worldwide income if they’re UK residents, but Double Taxation Agreements can help avoid being taxed twice on the same earnings.

Payment processing is another aspect you have to add to the list of challenges and choices. Traditional banks and PayPal work, but they’re often expensive and slow. Newer platforms like Grey, Revolut and Wise can offer better exchange rates and lower fees. There’s also Skrill which handles crypto and includes a prepaid Mastercard for easy fund access. PaySend is another option and supports transfer to over 170 countries and to receive from 50+ countries.

Chatting on digital nomad forums such as Reddit’s Digital Nomad or r/india can help you get the lowdown on which payment platforms work best in which markets. For example, some freelancers, such as those working in Korea, have said on Reddit that Stripe is not available in Korea and PayPal doesn’t “work fully” there either. Some freelancers find Payoneer’s registration process tricky and they get stuck at the verification stage.

Legal stuff varies, too. What constitutes an independent contractor in the UK might be classified differently elsewhere, potentially exposing both freelancer and client to unexpected liabilities. Worker misclassification laws are particularly strict in some jurisdictions.

A standard template contract that works for UK clients might leave you completely exposed when dealing with a client in Singapore or Tokyo. It’s worth investing in proper legal advice upfront.

The new normal looks global

Despite the challenges, the trend seems irreversible, at least for now. The combination of domestic hiring freezes, explosive growth in Asian markets, and increasingly sophisticated remote working tools is creating a perfect combination for international freelancing.

Japan’s introduction of its first-ever Freelance Act in November 2024 is particularly significant, providing legal protections that make the market more attractive for long-term engagement. Similar regulatory developments across the region suggest governments are taking the freelance economy seriously.

For UK freelancers, the future might not be as bright at home. For some, working with overseas clients may have once been a nice bonus. However, until the hiring freeze thaws in the UK, a freelancer’s client list could look very international.

But it’s not just freelancers looking outside the UK for growth, even the pension funds of iconic British brands such as Lloyds Bank are saying Britain isn’t pulling its weight and is investing overseas.

The Telegraph reported: “Lloyds Bank is to pull billions of pounds from Britain’s stock market in a major blow to Rachel Reeves’s efforts to boost the UK economy. Scottish Widows, the bank’s pensions division, plans to cut its exposure to the UK and move more money into better-performing markets such as the US.”

“It is a blow to the Chancellor,” said the report, “who has been encouraging pension funds to invest more in British stocks to boost both the market and the economy.”

The Telegraph previously reported Scottish Widows, which manages £230bn, had refused to sign up to an industry pledge to invest a certain amount of funds into Britain. So, it isn’t just freelancers looking away from home for growth.

Looking to markets such as Asia isn’t just a fallback option anymore, for a growing number of freelancers, it’s a strategy for survival.