IT Freelancer Population to Reach 370,000 in 2025, Freelance Agent Market Hits 318.3 Billion Yen [IT Freelance and Freelance Agent Market White Paper 2026]

INSTANTROOM Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Ryo Kasama), which operates 'FreelanceBoard' (https://freelance-board.com/), a job and project search site for freelance engineers and IT freelancers, has published the 'IT Freelance and Freelance Agent Market White Paper 2026', analyzing trends in the IT freelance market and freelance agent market for 2025.

This white paper reveals that in 2025, as the practical application of generative AI became mainstream, the value of talent required for IT freelancers and the way companies utilize external human resources have changed significantly. The freelance agent market is also expanding against a backdrop of rising unit prices.

▼ Download the 'IT Freelance and Freelance Agent Market White Paper 2026' here: https://freelance-board.com/journals/detail/981

Key Survey Results: - The IT freelancer population will expand to approximately 370,000 in 2025 (up 4.6% year-on-year). - The freelance agent market will expand to 318.3 billion yen (up 24.3% year-on-year). - The number of domestic IT freelance-specialized agents will expand to 488 companies (up 21.4% year-on-year). - The average monthly sales unit price will be 853,000 yen, a 5.3% increase from 810,000 yen the previous year.

Background and Trends: [1] Changes in Talent Value Due to Practical Application of Generative AI - The penetration of development support tools has improved engineer development productivity. - Companies are reviewing their approaches to external outsourcing and in-house development. - The market value of mid-career and senior workers who can effectively use generative AI is rising.

[2] Expanding Demand for PM/PdM and Upstream Talent - With improved development speed, the importance of planning and requirements definition is increasing. - A shortage of talent capable of deciding 'what to build' is becoming apparent. - Unit prices are rising for talent who can handle tasks spanning from planning to implementation.

[3] Market Moving Toward Stable Growth After Temporary Adjustment - In 2026, it is expected that advances in generative AI will lead to a review of outsourcing and a shift toward in-house development. - Utilization through agents, which handle contract support, skill verification, and legal compliance, will continue. - DX support for SMEs, upstream talent, and security/governance areas are identified as future growth themes.

About 'FreelanceBoard' 'FreelanceBoard' is one of Japan's largest project platforms for IT freelancers, featuring AI agent-based project proposals and cross-search. It currently has business partnerships with over 100 freelance agents (https://freelance-board.com/agents) and offers over 520,000 searchable job listings, making it the largest scale in Japan. *1: Includes agents preparing to list projects. Freelance engineers and IT freelancers can search for projects and job information on FreelanceBoard (https://freelance-board.com/jobs) and find work in one stop, without needing to search or register on individual agent or project sites.

Service URL: https://freelance-board.com/ ▼ Free download of the iOS app: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/フリーランスボード-エンジニアの求人-案件-副業検索アプリ/id6740894216 Release date: June 5, 2025 Compatible models: iOS 15.6 or later ▼ Free download of the Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.instantroom.freelanceboard Release date: September 11, 2025

Company Overview Company Name: INSTANTROOM Inc. Representative: Representative Director Ryo Kasama Location: 25-6 Motoyoyogicho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Established: March 31, 2021 URL: https://instantroom.co.jp/ Business: ・Project search site for freelance engineers/IT freelancers 'FreelanceBoard' (https://freelance-board.com/) ・CRM specialized for freelance agents/SES companies 'FreelanceBase' (https://freelancebase.jp/) ・Contract engineer hiring platform 'EngineerDASH' (https://engineerdash.com/) ・IT freelance job platform for side jobs and career changes 'Gyou-Ten' (https://gyou-ten.com/) ・Specialized media for SES 'SESLabo' (https://ses-labo.com/)