Linked data reveals hidden scale of multiple jobholding in Britain
Categories: Research using linked data, Research findings, Data Insights, ADR UK Research Fellows, Social mobility & inclusion, Employment & the economy
16 April 2026
New analysis using linked administrative data suggests that holding multiple jobs in Britain is far more common than official statistics indicate, particularly among young women.
In a new Data Insight, ADR UK Research Fellow Darja Reuschke draws on linked HM Revenue and Customs PAYE payroll data and the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) to uncover patterns that are largely invisible in traditional labour market surveys.
A hidden workforce pattern
Official sources such as ASHE and the Labour Force Survey suggest that only around 3% of workers hold more than one job. But by linking survey and administrative payroll data, and capturing employment on a weekly and monthly basis, the picture changes significantly.
The analysis finds that between 14% and 20% of working-age adults have multiple jobs at some point, highlighting how short-term and fluctuating work patterns are missed in annual or self-reported surveys.
Young women most affected
One of the clearest findings is the concentration of multiple jobholding among younger workers, especially women aged 16–29. Once factors such as geography and job characteristics are taken into account, this group shows the highest likelihood of holding more than one job.
This challenges assumptions that multiple jobholding is evenly distributed or primarily a lifestyle choice. Instead, the data points to structural patterns in the labour market that disproportionately affect younger women.
Driven by low pay and limited hours
For many workers, multiple jobholding appears to be driven by necessity rather than preference. The research shows strong links between holding multiple jobs and:
- Low hourly pay
- Limited working hours
- Underemployment.
Together, these factors suggest that workers are combining roles to secure sufficient income or hours, rather than pursuing additional work for flexibility or career development.
Combining employee work with self-employment follows a slightly different pattern. While not directly linked to low pay, it becomes more common in areas with higher unemployment - again pointing to economic necessity.
Why linked data matters
The findings underline the value of linked administrative data in understanding modern working patterns. By combining datasets, researchers can capture the dynamic nature of employment, revealing behaviours that are otherwise obscured.
This has important implications for both research and policy. Multiple jobholding is often treated as a niche issue, but this analysis suggests it should be considered a mainstream feature of the labour market, closely linked to job quality and economic security.
What’s next
The study highlights the need for continued investment in linked datasets, including extending analysis into more recent years and the post-pandemic period. This would allow researchers and policymakers to better understand how working patterns are evolving - and for whom.
It also opens up new avenues for research, particularly on the experiences of young women in the labour market and the relationship between multiple jobholding and underemployment.
