Almost one-quarter, 22%, of the adult population have worked or offered services in the on-demand economy, while 42% have used at least one on-demand economy service, according to a national survey conducted by research firm Penn Schoen Berland.

The survey’s key findings include:

• 51% of those who offer services in the on-demand economy (offerors) say their financial situation has improved over the past year, compared to 34% of the general population; 64% of offerors also expect their financial situations to improve in the next year, compared to 47% of the general population;
• 55% of offerors are members of a racial or ethnic minority, compared to 34% of those who have not offered on-demand services; 51% of offerors are under 35, compared to 31% of the general population;
• 71% of offerors say working in the industry has been a positive experience; their main motivations include extra income (33%), a need for additional income (26%), flexibility (25%) and independence (25%).

The survey did uncover concerns: 72% of workers said they should be given more benefits as part of their job, and 68% said industry workers lack the financial safety net that other workers have.

“This new survey is the most in-depth study of workers and users of the On-Demand Economy ever conducted,” said Donald A. Baer, worldwide chair and CEO, Burson-Marsteller. “With nearly a quarter of Americans already working in the on-demand economy, and more than a third buying its services, it is clear the sector is playing a major role in the growth and direction of the United States.”

The survey was developed jointly by Burson-Marsteller, a global strategic communications and public relations firm; The Aspen Institute’s Future of Work Initiative; and TIME. It was conducted from Nov. 16 to Nov. 25, 2015. Penn Schoen Berland conducted 3,000 online interviews.