ADP Report: Chinese Employees Juggle Multiple Jobs to Cover Necessary Expenses
04 June, 2025
Shanghai, China, 4 Jun., 10, 2025 – Despite global employment reaching a record high in 2024, more than half (57%) of workers worldwide are living paycheck to paycheck. Additionally, 23% of workers hold two or more jobs, primarily to cover necessary expenses, according to ADP Research’s People at Work 2025 report. The study, which surveyed nearly 38,000 workers across 34 markets, uncovers stark regional disparities and generational divides in the global workforce’s financial resilience.
In China, only about 31% of workers live paycheck to paycheck, a proportion significantly lower than the global average (57%) and the APAC regional average (48%). Meanwhile, among Chinese employees holding three or more jobs, 79% cite covering necessary expenses as the main reason, the highest proportion globally; 63% aim to save for future expenses, a figure higher than the APAC average (54%).
Key Findings:
- Global strain: Taking on extra work doesn’t necessarily close the pay gap. More than half (54%) of single-job holders, 59% of workers with two jobs, and 61% of workers with three or more jobs are struggling to make ends meet.
- Regional hotspot: The country with the highest percentage of workers living paycheck to paycheck is Egypt (84%), followed by Saudi Arabia (79%) and the Philippines (78%). In contrast, South Korea has the lowest percentage, at just 18%. Regionally, the Middle-East Africa Region (70%) has the highest share, with 70% of workers living paycheck to paycheck, followed by Latin America (63%) and North America (58%).
- Age divide: Younger workers (<40 years old) are motivated to pursue extra jobs to gain work experience (40%) and nearly a third do it to fund their school or job training. In contrast, only 27% of older workers (>40 years old) do it to gain work experience, while 21% do it to fund their training.
Why workers take multiple jobs
The survey reveals that most workers holding multiple jobs do so to cover their necessary expenses, save for future spending, and build savings for retirement. The number of workers working more than one job is the highest in Middle East Africa (34%), Latin America (24%), and Asia Pacific (24%).
While people have different reasons for taking on extra work, holding two or more jobs can be a necessity in parts of the world where average wages are low relative to a country’s cost of living. Informal economies in Africa, Latin America and parts of Asia exacerbate challenges, with workers who piece together gig or part-time roles lacking stability or protection.
Navigating the high cost of living
“Pay is the foundation of financial wellbeing for most workers, yet our data shows that even record employment isn't translating into financial security. Nearly two-thirds of people who hold three jobs still struggle to make ends meet. This presents an opportunity for employers to take a more holistic approach to compensation to help workers navigate the higher living costs of today’s global economy,” ADP chief economist Nela Richardson said.
General Manager of ADP North Asia, Lily Ma, said, “For small and medium enterprises (SME) facing tight margins, salary increases may not always be feasible — but creativity in compensation can still make a profound difference. Health insurance, one-off bonuses, or even subsidised childcare can alleviate everyday financial strain for employees. These benefits not only ease immediate costs but also foster loyalty and productivity, which supports building stronger, more resilient teams.”
ENDS
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