New Zealand ranks second for preferring traditional jobs

New Zealand ranks second only to Australia for preference for traditional employment in a global survey by Remitly Business. The study found 39.5% of New Zealand respondents would rather work for someone else.

A majority still favoured self-employment, with 60.5% saying they would prefer to be their own boss. Among the 28 countries surveyed, however, that was the second-lowest share for self-employment, ahead of Australia alone.

The survey covered 5,105 adults across 28 countries and found stronger enthusiasm for self-employment worldwide. Globally, 74.6% of respondents said they would prefer self-employment over working for someone else.

Kenya recorded the highest support for self-employment at 98.0%, followed by South Africa at 92.7% and Morocco at 90.7%. Australia had the largest share preferring traditional employment at 40.6%, followed by New Zealand at 39.5% and the Czech Republic at 37.1%.

New Zealand outlook

Among New Zealand respondents who preferred conventional employment, lower financial risk was the main reason, cited by 14.79%. That was followed by not wanting the responsibility of running a business at 13.42% and less stress or pressure at 12.6%.

For those who favoured self-employment, the leading reason was greater flexibility and independence over when and where they work, cited by 15.43%. Better work-life balance followed at 12.86%, while 8.84% said the main draw was higher income.

The findings suggest a more cautious attitude in New Zealand than in many of the other markets surveyed. Financial exposure, workload and pressure appear to weigh more heavily on respondents than the appeal of autonomy alone.

That caution also showed up in views on whether people would make the move. Nearly 40% of New Zealand respondents said they were unlikely or very unlikely to take steps to become self-employed.

If they were to consider it, higher earning potential was the main incentive, selected by 22.61%. At the same time, a third said they were confident they had the skills and knowledge needed to become their own boss.

Stress and risk

Concerns about pressure and uncertainty were prominent among New Zealand respondents. Some 62.81% said being your own boss is more stressful than working for someone else.

Nearly 80% said people underestimate the risks of self-employment. A similar share said hustle culture puts too much pressure on people to always be working or earning more, and that social media makes self-employment appear more attractive than it really is.

Across all countries in the study, the main reasons for preferring traditional employment were greater job security and benefits such as retirement plans and paid sick leave, cited by 61.7% of respondents. Lower financial risk followed at 61.1%, with not wanting the responsibility of running a business at 56.0%.

Globally, among those who preferred self-employment, independence and control over how they work was the most common motivation, cited by 72.7%. Greater flexibility over when and where to work came next at 68.7%, followed by better work-life balance at 60.3%.

The study also pointed to a gap between aspiration and action. Although nearly three-quarters of respondents worldwide said they would prefer self-employment, only 33.3% said they were likely to take steps towards it in the next year.

Financial concerns were the main obstacle. More than half of respondents globally said their biggest worry was not having a stable income, while others pointed to difficulty finding enough work or clients and fear of failure.

No regret

Among New Zealand respondents who are already self-employed, the results were notably more positive. None said they regretted the decision.

Half said becoming self-employed was worth it despite the challenges, while a third said it was the best decision they ever made. The contrast between the views of those considering self-employment and those already doing it is one of the sharper findings in the New Zealand data.

Ankur Tiwari, Vice President and General Manager at Remitly Business, said the research highlights a growing gap between the ambition to start a business and the confidence to take the first step.

"Many people are drawn to the independence and flexibility that entrepreneurship can offer, but ongoing financial uncertainty is making it harder to make the leap. What's especially interesting is how global entrepreneurship is becoming. People want to build businesses that operate across borders from day one.

"That's something we see every day with Remitly Business customers, whether they are solo entrepreneurs or managing a small team. Handling finances across countries has traditionally been complex, but the right tools can make it far more seamless and accessible for small businesses.

"For aspiring entrepreneurs, my advice would be to start small and build gradually. Testing an idea alongside a stable source of income can help reduce risk, create confidence, and give you the foundation to grow sustainably over time."