2022:

A recent Upwork report found that skilled remote freelancing continues to grow — 53% of all freelancers provided skilled services such as computer programming or marketing this past year, up from 50% in the year prior. Upwork’s most in-demand skills lists reveal the essential role that highly-skilled independent talent will play in filling talent gaps and solving businesses' most pressing needs in 2022.  
Among the list of most in-demand skills, those with the highest year-over-year growth on the Upwork platform are Web Programming (43%), Web Design (31%), and Social Media Marketing (25%).  
Skills data was sourced from the Upwork database and is based on gross services volume from January 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021. Each skill had a minimum of 500 projects posted during the period. Year-over-year growth was estimated by comparing the gross services volume in 2021 to gross services volume in the same period in 2020. 
Source : https://www.upwork.com/press/releases/upwork-unveils-top-10-most-in-demand-skills-for-technology-marketing-and-customer-service-independent-talent-in-2022

Reasons : 
There are several factors driving the rapid growth of web programming, web design, and social media marketing skills in the freelance marketplace:

Increased reliance on digital technology: Businesses of all sizes are increasingly moving online and relying on digital tools and platforms to reach customers, sell products, and conduct operations. This creates a massive demand for skilled professionals who can build and maintain websites, applications, and online presences.

Remote work trend: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift towards remote work, making businesses more open to hiring talented individuals regardless of their location. This opens up a wider pool of skilled freelancers for companies to tap into, boosting competition and demand for specialized skills.

E-commerce boom: The growth of online shopping has fueled the need for robust e-commerce platforms and websites. This requires experts in web development, design, and marketing to create seamless and user-friendly shopping experiences.

Social media's influence: Social media has become a crucial marketing channel for businesses, requiring professionals who can manage social media campaigns, create engaging content, and drive audience engagement.

Cost-effectiveness and flexibility: Hiring freelance professionals can be more cost-effective than full-time employees, especially for businesses with specific project needs or limited budgets. Additionally, freelancers offer flexibility in terms of project scope and timeframe, making them a valuable asset for companies looking for agile solutions.

Constant technological advancements: The tech landscape is constantly evolving, requiring professionals to stay updated on the latest trends and tools. Freelancers often have the time and flexibility to invest in learning new skills, making them adaptable and well-suited for evolving digital needs.

In conclusion, the surge in demand for web programming, web design, and social media marketing skills in the freelance market is driven by a confluence of factors, including the digitalization of businesses, the remote work trend, the e-commerce boom, the growing influence of social media, the cost-effectiveness of freelance talent, and the continuous evolution of technology.

2023 :
Upwork’s most in-demand skills lists reveal the essential role that highly skilled independent talent will play in filling talent gaps and solving businesses' most pressing needs in 2023.  Among the list of most in-demand skills, those with the highest year-over-year growth on the Upwork platform within the noted categories are sales & business development (54%), data entry (47%), accounting (45%), and 3D animation (44%).
 

Skills data was sourced from the Upwork database and is based on United States freelancer earnings from January 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022. Each skill had a minimum of 500 projects with active work during the period. Year-over-year growth was estimated by comparing the freelancer earnings in 2022 to freelancer earnings in the same period in 2021.
Source : https://www.upwork.com/press/releases/upwork-unveils-most-in-demand-skills-for-independent-professionals-in-2023
Reasons :
The reasons behind the rapid growth of these in-demand skills on Upwork in 2023 are multifaceted and vary slightly for each skill:

Sales & Business Development (54% growth):

Shifting business priorities: With economic uncertainties and changing market dynamics, businesses are focusing on maximizing revenue and efficiency. Skilled sales and business development professionals can help them achieve this by finding new customers, generating leads, and closing deals.
Remote sales capabilities: The widespread adoption of remote work opens up a global talent pool for businesses and increases the demand for freelance sales talent with strong digital communication and negotiation skills.
Cost-effective talent acquisition: Hiring freelance sales professionals can be more cost-effective than building and maintaining an internal sales team, especially for smaller businesses or specific project needs.
Data Entry (47% growth):

Data explosion: The volume of data generated by businesses continues to grow exponentially, leading to a need for efficient data entry and management. Freelance data entry specialists can handle large volumes of data with accuracy and speed, freeing up internal resources for other tasks.
Automation limitations: While technology has automated many data entry tasks, the human touch remains crucial for complex or non-standardized data. This creates opportunities for skilled data entry professionals with good attention to detail and data-handling skills.
Focus on data analysis: Businesses are increasingly looking to data insights to drive decision-making. Accurate and well-organized data entry forms the foundation for effective data analysis, making skilled data entry specialists valuable players in the data-driven business landscape.
Accounting (45% growth):

Compliance complexity: Navigating financial regulations and tax laws can be challenging for businesses, particularly small businesses without dedicated accounting staff. Freelance accountants can provide expert guidance and ensure compliance, reducing financial risks and saving businesses time and money.
Demand for specialized skills: Businesses often require specific accounting expertise for tasks like bookkeeping, auditing, or tax preparation. Hiring freelance accountants with the relevant experience and qualifications provides access to specialized skills without the cost of a full-time employee.
Flexibility and scalability: Freelance accountants offer businesses the flexibility to scale their accounting services up or down as needed, depending on their workload or growth stage. This makes them a cost-effective solution for businesses with fluctuating accounting needs.
3D Animation (44% growth):

Rise of visual content: Compelling visual content is crucial for marketing, education, entertainment, and various other industries. 3D animation offers unique storytelling and engagement possibilities, leading to increased demand for skilled animators.
Technology advancements: Advances in 3D animation software and tools make it more accessible and efficient to create high-quality animations. This opens up opportunities for freelance animators to offer a wider range of services and cater to diverse client needs.
Global audience reach: Animated content transcends language and cultural barriers, making it an effective tool for reaching a global audience. This increased demand benefits freelance animators with international clients and diverse portfolio of animation styles.
Overall, the booming demand for these skills in 2023 reflects the changing needs of businesses in a digitally connected and data-driven world. The focus on sales and business development signifies the struggle for survival and growth in a competitive market. Data entry plays a crucial role in feeding the data analysis engine that drives modern business decisions. Accounting expertise ensures financial stability and compliance in a complex regulatory landscape. Finally, 3D animation serves the growing hunger for engaging and impactful visual content across various industries.

These trends are likely to continue in the foreseeable future, making these skills valuable assets for both businesses and freelance professionals seeking success in the evolving digital landscape.

2021 : 
The categories below highlight eight of the hottest jobs in 2021, based on industry findings. Although the general skills involved and hourly wage ranges are included, keep in mind that every company will have its own requirements, so the ideal skill set and expertise for each job can vary. Most viable job candidates should have a STEM-related undergraduate degree or certifications at the minimum. Depending on their scope and complexity, some jobs may require specialized postgraduate degrees such as a Master of Science in AI (artificial intelligence) or a Master of Science in robotics.
Machine learning
Machine learning (ML) engineers build programs that learn from data and improve their accuracy over time. They help businesses automate routine tasks, change operational models, and maximize efficiency while optimizing costs. Job skills typically include a deep knowledge of data science, programming languages such as Python/C++, R, and Java, applied math and algorithms, probability and statistics, and distributed computing. The average rate for machine learning engineers ranges from $80 to $125 per hour.
Automation
Automation specialists develop programs that streamline and automate processes to achieve outcomes with minimal human input, helping companies reduce costs. Ideal skills and expertise include computer science, coding in languages such as Python, writing automated tests and building test frameworks, and configuration management (CM) software. The average rate for automation specialists ranges from $40 to $110 per hour.
Data analytics
Data analysts apply statistical analysis and technologies to data to reveal trends that ultimately solve problems and improve data-driven business decision-making. Data analysts should have expertise in critical thinking and problem solving, statics and statistical programming, SQL (structured query language), building dashboards and reports, and data visualization. The average rate for data analysts ranges from $40 to $100 per hour.
Mobile application development
B2B and B2C mobile applications are ubiquitous and widely accepted. Mobile application developers create, test, and program apps for computers, smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices, such as wearable medical technology. Mobile application jobs typically require a strong background in computer science and programming and analytic and problem-solving skills. The average rate for mobile application developers ranges from $40 to $100 per hour.
VR (virtual reality)
Virtual reality developers create and test VR and AR (augmented reality) applications that offer a simulated user experience similar to or completely different from reality. Applications include video games and education, such as military, sports, and medical training. Skills include programming and software development experience, detailed XR (extended reality) knowledge, machine learning, computer vision, 3D modeling and animation, and graphics rendering. The average rate for virtual reality developers ranges from $40 to $100 per hour.
Video production
We live in a visual world, and businesses increasingly need video content for everything from marketing to internal announcements, employee on-boarding, and contractor training. Video producers coordinate and manage aspects of the video production process, using skills in creative direction, budgeting, scriptwriting, logistics, and team direction and communication. The average rate for video producers ranges from $40 to $85 per hour.
SEO (search engine optimization)
SEO is one of today’s most effective marketing strategies. SEO specialists maximize the traffic to a website by analyzing the website and implementing changes to improve page rank within search engines. SEO specialists should possess sharp analytical skills, detailed knowledge of Google tools and keyword research, and link-building and HTML expertise. The average rate for SEO specialists ranges from $20 to $75 per hour.
Product management
Product managers create and manage product road maps that guide a product’s lifecycle from a marketing and customer solutions perspective. Product managers should have an undergraduate degree in business or a related field. Skills include a combination of hard and soft skills and relatively detailed technical knowledge of the product or service they’re managing, along with pricing models, budget management, strategic thinking, marketing, problem-solving, communication, and analytic skills. The average rate for product managers ranges from $35 to $150 per hour.
Source : https://www.upwork.com/resources/in-demand-jobs-and-skills

Reasons :
Due to the rapid pace of technological innovation, IT, analytics, and programming jobs are in high demand.
Technological advancements: The rapid advance of technologies like AI, automation, big data, and VR creates continuous needs for specialists who can develop, manage, and optimize these solutions.

Shifting business priorities: In a competitive and dynamic market, businesses prioritize efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and customer engagement. These jobs cater directly to these needs.

Remote work trend: The pandemic accelerated the shift towards remote work, making highly skilled freelancers readily accessible to businesses, regardless of location.

Cost-effectiveness: Hiring freelance talent for specific projects or expertise can be cheaper than employing full-time staff, especially for small businesses or short-term needs.

Increased reliance on online platforms: As businesses move online, they require skilled professionals to build and manage websites, mobile apps, and social media presences.

Evolving consumer behavior: Customers are increasingly tech-savvy and demand engaging experiences. This creates opportunities for video producers, VR developers, and SEO specialists.

Specialization and niche expertise: Businesses often need niche skills for specific tasks, leading to demand for qualified professionals in specialized fields like machine learning or product management.

Data-driven decision-making: The availability of vast amounts of data necessitates skilled analysts to interpret and translate it into actionable insights.



make introduction for a research paper with the provided data