Polywork on the rise: 1 in 10 Argentines have at least two jobs

Polywork, the practice of holding multiple jobs simultaneously, has been on the rise in Argentina over the past eight years, with nearly 10% of the economically active population now engaged in this trend. According to a September report by consulting firm C-P, the percentage of Argentines with at least two jobs increased from 8.7% in 2017 to 11.5% in 2025, with 2024 holding the highest record.

This trend is attributed to the growth of the gig economy, coupled with the erosion of purchasing power, as highlighted by the report which analyzed official data from the INDEC statistics bureau.

The rise of polywork can be linked to the economic stagnation Argentina has experienced over the last decade, and President Javier Milei's economic model, which aims to address unemployment and informality. Economist and C-P head Federico Pastrana stated that while this economic transformation is partly due to stagnation, it is also a consequence of reduced income.

Informality in salaried work stands at 37.9%, the highest in 18 years, and is above the 10-year average of 34.6%. Public-sector wages have dropped by 15.7% while private-sector wages have declined by 7.8% under the current administration.

Polyworkers are predominantly young adults in their prime working years (35 to 49), with a higher concentration of women (56%) and a larger proportion of those with higher education degrees. Public-sector workers comprise 24% of polyworkers, and 44% of polyworkers are overworked, working more than 45 hours per week. The 'emerging' group of polyworkers, driven by falling purchasing power and the expansion of platform work, has seen a 75% increase over the past eight years.

These individuals, mostly men aged 35-49, work an average of 49 hours per week and have higher informality rates. Traditional polyworkers, mainly found in education, health, and domestic service sectors, represent 52% of all polyworkers and work fewer hours on average.