Archive · 18 Jun 2025
ADP Study: Record Employment Masks Global Financial Insecurity
A new study found that even though more people are working than ever before, a lot of them are still struggling to pay their bills.
Over half of the workers worldwide are living paycheck to paycheck.
Many are working multiple jobs to make ends meet.
The reasons for working extra jobs depend on how old you are.
Older workers focus on family and retirement while younger workers want experience.
Places like Egypt and the Middle East have the most financially stressed workers.
The study also found that some jobs don't offer stability because they are informal or don't offer good benefits.
This shows that just having a job isn't enough - it's important to have good wages and financial support too.
ADP study reveals 57% of global workers live paycheck to paycheck despite record employment.
One in four workers holds two or more jobs to cover basic living expenses.
Egypt has the highest percentage of financially stressed workers (84%); South Korea has the lowest (18%).
Younger workers seek extra jobs for experience or education; older workers focus on family and retirement.
Informal and gig economies contribute to financial instability due to lack of contracts and benefits.
- Who
- The ADP Research Institute surveyed nearly 38,000 workers.
- What
- ADP's "People at Work 2025" study reveals widespread financial insecurity among workers.
- When
- The data was collected in 2024.
- Where
- Globally, across 34 countries.
- Why
- To understand the relationship between employment and financial wellbeing.
Workers Facing Challenges
The State of Employment
Financial Security
Workers Facing Challenges
Many workers are living paycheck to paycheck.
The State of Employment
Employment numbers are high.
- Report Name
- People at Work 2025
- Percentage of Workers Living Paycheck to Paycheck
- 57%
- Number of Countries Surveyed
- 34
- Number of Workers Surveyed
- Nearly 38,000
- Countries with Highest Financial Stress
- Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Philippines
- Percentage of Workers in Middle East & Africa facing financial precarity
- 70%