Chennai: Despite record-high global employment in 2024, a staggering 57% of the global workforce is living paycheck to paycheck, according to the newly released ADP Research People at Work 2025 report.
The ADP Research People at Work 2025 report study, conducted across 34 global markets with nearly 38,000 workers, highlights widespread financial insecurity, growing dependence on multiple jobs, and significant regional and generational disparities.
Key Findings from the ADP People at Work 2025 Report:
Multiple jobs aren’t solving financial stress:
- 54% of single-job holders,
- 59% with two jobs, and
- 61% with three or more jobs
are still struggling to make ends meet.
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Highest paycheck-to-paycheck rates by country:
- Egypt (84%)
- Saudi Arabia (79%)
- Philippines (78%)
- Lowest: South Korea (18%)
Regional financial pressure:
- Middle East Africa: 70%
- Latin America: 63%
- North America: 58%
ADP Research People at Work 2025 Report: Why people work multiple jobs
- Cover daily expenses
- Save for future goals
- Prepare for retirement
- In regions with weaker formal economies, multiple jobs often reflect economic necessity rather than choice.
Age-based motivation:
- Workers under 40 pursue extra jobs for work experience (40%) and education/training costs (30%)
- Workers over 40 focus more on income and retirement planning
“Pay is the foundation of financial wellbeing for most workers, yet our data shows that even record employment isn’t translating into financial security,” said Nela Richardson, Chief Economist at ADP. “There’s a clear opportunity for employers to take a more holistic view of compensation to help workers navigate today’s rising cost of living.”
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The ADP Research People at Work 2025 report underscores a critical need for businesses, governments, and policymakers to rethink compensation, job quality, and long-term financial wellness strategies amid an increasingly expensive global economy.
