How has COVID-19 affected your business as of today?
Freelancers have experienced great fluctuations in income over the last two years. The percentage of those experiencing a drop in revenue steadily decreased from 55% in August 2020, to 52% in January 2021, to 29% in July/August 2021. This latest study unfortunately shows that indicator going back up (35%). 

  

 

 

Are you still feeling the impact 

of COVID-19 on your business?

Thirty-six percent of freelance respondents have been getting less work due to COVID-19’s impact. At the same time, 13% experienced an increase in business. 

What has been your experience with demand?
The highest-growth services in 2021 were editing of machine translation, remote simultaneous interpreting (RSI), and over-the phone and video remote interpreting (OPI and VRI). 

 

 

 

How have volumes of work changed in 2021?

 Overall, demand showed a modest increase of 22% to 23% in 2021, depending on whether freelancers refered to volumes of work from direct clients or LSPs.

 

 

 

How have industry pressures changed in 2021 ?

Nearly half of freelancers perceived the situation to be stable. However, 30% experienced an increase in the degree of competition, while 37% had to offer services at lower prices, and 32% were forced to deliver faster.

 

 

 

 

How has the nature of projects or jobs changed in the last two years?
46% of freelancers are receiving smaller projects, while 40% are experiencing shorter turnaround times, and 26% are getting more on-demand work.

 

 

 

Freelancers’ impressions about the future

Freelancers give their impressions about the future. 

 

 

 

 

How do you feel about the language services sector for the rest of 2022? 

More than half of freelancer respondents are optimistic about the future, down from 61% in July/August 2021.