Rise of the 5-9 economy as Brits clock up hundreds of hours on 'side hustles'

Rise of the 5-9 economy as Brits clock up hundreds of hours on 'side hustles' Half of Britons regularly clock into a 'second shift', putting in 214 extra hours a year to pursue side hustles and passion projects. A survey of 2,000 adults revealed that 49% regularly work towards a personal goal after their day job finishes, doing so at least once a week. Meanwhile, 14% graft away every day from Monday to Friday. The average person on a 'second shift' devotes four hours a week to projects that could shape their future. The emerging '5-9 economy' sees the typical second shift kick off between 7:00pm and 7:59pm, with 17% reporting that their most productive hours occur after officially clocking off work. The research was commissioned by Samsung to spotlight its Galaxy Tab S12 Series, which combines long-lasting battery life with an expansive display that provides users space to learn, research, create, and pursue personal projects after hours. Side hustles are the primary driver behind the UK's after-hours output boom, with 24% of adults currently running one alongside their main job. However, earning extra cash isn't the sole motivation, as some spend their evenings acquiring a new skill, either out of personal interest (32%) or to advance their career (23%). Some 15% are hopeful their evening endeavours will unlock fresh career opportunities, while 12% are dedicating this time to studying for professional qualifications. Millennials are the most committed to professional development, with 31% using their evenings to build workplace skills, compared to just 11% of Gen X and 9% of Boomers. Creative ambitions are also crucial, with 16% using their evening hours to produce digital content. London has become the UK's "hustle capital," with 61% of residents putting in their '5–9' at least once a week, ahead of Manchester (54%) and Bristol (49%). The second shift also has the potential to transform the first, with 15% of side-hustlers hoping their evening project will become their full-time career. Meanwhile, 12% of those studying or developing skills hope to leverage them to transition into new roles. However, turning these ambitions into reality requires commitment: finding time (37%) and maintaining energy levels after a full workday (45%) were cited as the top challenges. Technology plays a central role in enabling the second shift, primarily through online tutorials (25%), task management apps (16%), and digital creative tools (15%). Charlie Nordfeldt, from Samsung UK and Ireland, said: “Finishing the workday is often when personal ambitions truly take flight. “Whether you are studying for a qualification, launching a new business idea, or bringing a creative project to life, those evening hours make a real difference.” TOP FIVE SIDE-HUSTLING CITIES: - London - Manchester - Bristol - Newcastle - Leicester