Forbes reports the number of independent workers is being undercounted by governments in the US and Europe — and that is contributing to glaring gaps in labor market policy, according to a study released this morning by the McKinsey Global Institute. The study found 20% to 30% of the labor force in both the US and the EU-15 is now made up of independent workers who are self-employed or do temporary work. 

McKinsey’s estimate of gig workers in the US is similar to a report released last week by Upwork that found 35% of the US workforce is freelancing. Staffing Industry Analysts estimates that 44 million Americans are engaged in gig work under its definition of the Gig Economy.