Brits are clocking up hundreds of extra hours working on passion projects, with half regularly putting in a 'second shift' after their day job ends. A survey of 2,000 adults revealed that 49% frequently work towards a personal goal at least once a week, while 14% hustle every weekday from Monday to Friday.
The '5-9 economy' takes shape
The average person working 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 7:00 pm and 7:59 pm, with 17% reporting that their most productive hours occur after officially finishing work.
Side hustles are the main driver of the UK's after-hours productivity surge, with 24% of adults currently running one alongside their primary job. However, earning extra cash isn't the only motivation, as some spend their evenings learning a new skill, either out of personal interest (32%) or to advance their career (23%).
Millennials lead professional development
Millennials are the most focused on professional development, with 31% using their evenings to build workplace skills, compared to just 11% of Gen X and 9% of Boomers. London has been crowned the UK's "hustle capital," with 61% of locals logging into their '5–9' at least once a week, outpacing 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.
Challenges and technology
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%).
The study was commissioned by Samsung to showcase its Galaxy Tab S12 Series, which combines long-lasting battery life with a large display that gives users space to learn, research, create, and pursue personal projects after hours. 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."
