Market Insights
Table of contentsThe global side hustle gig was worth $556.7 billion in 2024 and is growing at an estimated 16% compound annual growth rate. In simple terms, that means having something on the side can really pay off (literally). But what are the best side hustle ideas?
Let’s take a look.
What is a side hustle?
It’s your plan B (or plan A, if your 9 to 5 doesn’t cut it anymore). That could mean freelance work based on what you already do. You might sell specific products, ones you’ve made yourself perhaps. Other popular side hustles include offering services or investing.
Some people turn a hobby into income. Others look for something low effort that runs in the background. What matters most is that it fits around your life and gives you more financial flexibility without asking for too much in return.
The upside of earning on the side
A side hustle goes beyond simply earning more, though that’s often the starting point. When done well, it can create a buffer against everything from unexpected costs to opening up new opportunities that weren’t possible on a single income. For some, it’s a way of testing ideas or building confidence in a different field. For others, it’s a genuine response to a changing financial situation.
Recent global numbers show how widespread side income has become. Deloitte’s 2024 survey found that around 45% of Gen Z‑ers and 36% of millennials now hold a side job alongside their main work. The numbers echo broader data, where nearly 39% of adults had a second job in 2023.
Some of the advantages of a side hustle include:
- Extra income that can help with rising rent, bills or childcare
- Greater autonomy, with more control over when and how you earn
- New skills or contacts, especially if the work is in a different space to your day job
- Potential to grow, if your side hustle develops into something bigger over time
A well-chosen side hustle can also shift how you think about money. Not just as something to be earned in fixed hours, but as something you can grow or shape in different ways.
Getting started with a side hustle
Starting a side hustle doesn’t have to mean building a business from scratch. It often begins with something simple, be it offering a service, selling a product, or finding new ways to make existing savings work harder.
Look at what fits around your time and energy, as well as your financial goals. That could be freelancing in a field you already know or exploring platforms that pay for skills or content. It might mean stepping back from active work entirely and looking at investment-led income.
The most important part is getting started. You don’t need the perfect plan. As long as a path is in place that feels realistic, you can get started. Over time, the experience itself will show you what’s worth continuing, and where you can build.
6 side hustles that can deliver extra income
Here are some of the most common side hustles people are turning to, depending on time, skills, and appetite.
1) Real estate investment
Property has long been seen as a way to generate stable, long-term income, especially in fast-growing cities like Dubai. For many investors, however, the challenge has always been access.
Stake gives you access to prime real estate in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, without needing to buy a whole property. With fractional ownership from just AED 500, you can earn consistent rental income while we handle everything end-to-end. In 2024, investors using Stake saw average returns of 10.1%.
2) Freelance work
Freelancing offers the chance to earn outside of regular hours. It might be work that builds on what they already do day to day, or something completely separate. If you’ve got a knack for words, you might take on writing projects.
Or you take on small admin tasks or design jobs through platforms like Upwork. The pay depends on your skills and experience, but even a few hours a week can bring in extra income. It's flexible enough to fit around other priorities, which makes it a popular choice for people building up freelance work on the side.
3) Online course creator
Sharing knowledge online has become a steady income stream for some, especially in areas like language, coding, business, or design. Platforms such as Teachable and Udemy let you create and sell courses to a global audience. Once the material is set up, it can keep earning in the background.
Some course creators see a few hundred dollars a month in passive income, while more established ones earn far more. The upfront effort is significant, but it can build into a lasting source of revenue if you’ve got something useful to teach.
4) Tutoring
If you have a strong grasp of a subject like maths, science, or a second language, tutoring can be a reliable way to earn income on the side. It doesn’t need to be full-time either.
Many people take on a few students a week, often in the evenings or at weekends. Lessons can happen online or in person, depending on what suits you. Tutors often work seasonally or build it into a steady routine. Either way, it’s a side hustle that tends to bring in regular income.
5) User-generated content creator
More people are now earning by creating videos or photos that show everyday use of a brand’s product. It’s known as user-generated content, or UGC. Unlike traditional influencing, there’s no need for a large following, and the content is usually made for the brand to post on its own channels.
If you’re already comfortable behind a camera or enjoy editing short clips, UGC can become a low-barrier way to start bringing in income from creative work.
6) Airbnb hosting
Letting out a spare room or property can be a useful way to bring in extra income. You could even consider letting out your property while you travel for a week or two. Airbnb makes it relatively simple to manage, with tools to help with bookings, pricing, and guest communication.
What you earn will vary depending on where you’re based and how often the property is available, but the returns can be significant in high-demand areas. Some hosts use it to offset costs. Others build it into their longer-term financial plans.
Small steps still count, especially when they lead to something bigger
Not every side hustle needs to turn into a business. Sometimes, a few hours of tutoring or a delivery shift is exactly what fits. If it helps ease the pressure or cover a goal, it’s worth it.
Those small steps can also open doors. Clearing debt is one. And once income opens up, it’s a chance to think long-term. That might mean building something lasting, like a real estate portfolio.
Real estate used to feel out of reach. Now, with Stake, it’s simple to start. Earn passive income and build long-term wealth on your terms.
Build something that lasts
A side hustle can be a lifeline or a launchpad and sometimes it’s both. As income opens up, it’s worth thinking about where that money goes next. For many, that means investing and building long-term income through the likes of real estate one step at a time.
Think your 9 to 5 is your only income? Think again with Stake.
This article is for informational purposes only and shouldn't be considered as financial advice.
