Gen Z pros embrace 'portfolio careers' as side hustles surge

BENGALURU: India's Gen Z workforce is embracing what experts describe as "portfolio careers" - balancing multiple professional identities and income streams simultaneously. New research from LinkedIn shows that 75% of Gen Z entrepreneurs in India now manage multiple income streams, significantly higher than the 62% among Gen X entrepreneurs. The findings point to a growing preference among younger professionals for flexibility, autonomy and diversified sources of income.

"We're also seeing the rise of the 'portfolio era', with more professionals creating multiple income streams and redefining what a career can look like. This shift is making entrepreneurship more accessible than ever before," said LinkedIn India country manager Kumaresh Pattabiraman.

Rather than depending on a single full-time role, many professionals are simultaneously building businesses, freelancing, consulting, creating online content and monetising specialised skills through digital platforms. The trend comes amid a broader rise in entrepreneurial activity in India. LinkedIn recorded a 104% year-on-year increase in members adding "Founder" to their profiles - the highest growth among all global markets.

AI is also emerging as a major enabler of this shift. The report found that 85% of Gen Z entrepreneurs consider AI and digital tools important to their business operations.


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