The number of freelancers who are over the age of 50 has increased 59% in the last decade, according to a report.

The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) claimed there are more than 1.9 million self-employed over-50s in 2019.

While that represented a 59% increase in the last ten years, the growth among skilled freelancers was even bigger.

IPSE said there are around 950,000 highly-skilled freelancers in the UK in 2019, a rise of 68% since 2009.

Around one in four older freelancers, according to the IPSE report, said redundancy was the driving force behind going freelance.

The overwhelming majority of those (81%) said they were happy with their decision to become self-employed.

Chloe Jepps, head of research at the IPSE, said:

"Over-50s are looking to freelancing for greater flexibility and control over how and when they work.

"For some, it is a way to move away from the confines of the 9-5; for others, it's a way to launch or develop a passion project.

"What's remarkable - aside from the sheer number of older people turning to freelancing - is how happy they seem to be with it.

"It is clear that freelancing is not just an economic good for this country: it is also a great social good and a liberating force for millions of older workers."

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