When one salary is not enough
There was a time when one stable job and a monthly salary were considered enough to sustain a family. A single earning member, usually the father, could support an entire household comprising his parents, wife, and four or five children. His income paid for food, clothing, education, healthcare, utility bills, and family celebrations. Though life was simple and luxuries limited, families managed to live with dignity, save for the future, and occasionally enjoy life's small pleasures. The monthly paycheck was the foundation of financial security and household stability.
The need to earn from more than one source is becoming common across all professions. Mehwish Ahmed, a chemistry teacher in Islamabad, shared her demanding daily routine, which entails teaching full-time at a private school until 2:30 p.m. After that, Mehwish heads to an evening school where she teaches until 6:00 pm. Her day still does not end there. In the evening, she conducts two online tuition sessions from home, often working late into the night.
Despite the fact that her husband is also employed and contributes to the household income, Mehwish says managing expenses remains a challenge. The couple has two children, and a significant portion of their income goes towards education, utilities, groceries, healthcare, and other household needs.
"One salary is not enough, and in many cases even two salaries are not enough," says Mehwish. "Everything has become expensive. If I stop taking extra classes and online tuitions, it would be difficult to maintain the lifestyle and educational standards we want for our children."
Her story shows the clear reality faced by thousands of middle-class Pakistani families, where both spouses are working and yet still feel compelled to seek additional income streams to stay financially secure.
Older generations often recall how a government clerk, schoolteacher, railway employee, or bank officer could comfortably raise a large family on one salary. Children attended school, groceries were affordable, rents were manageable, and utility bills did not consume a significant portion of household income. The concept of needing a second job was uncommon, and side businesses were usually pursued out of personal interest rather than financial necessity.
Today, that reality has changed dramatically. In an era marked by persistent inflation, rising electricity and gas tariffs, increasing taxation, expensive housing, soaring educational costs, unemployment, declining purchasing power, and political instability, a single salary is no longer sufficient for many households.
In every city, town, and neighborhood, ordinary people are finding extraordinary ways to earn extra income, giving rise to a parallel economy. These side hustles help with rising living costs and have become a necessity. Quietly but steadily, they are becoming an important part of the country's economy and a source of financial stability for countless households.
The schoolteacher spends evenings tutoring students online and offline. The office worker runs a small clothing business through Instagram. A university student designs logos for international clients after classes. A homemaker turns her passion for cooking into a thriving home-based catering service. A government employee manages a small farm, property venture on weekends, or driving cabs. What may appear to be small individual efforts are, in reality, part of a much larger economic shift taking place across the country.
Even professionals with respectable jobs often struggle to balance their monthly budgets. The paycheck that once sustained an entire family now barely covers essential expenses. Savings have become difficult, financial security elusive and economic uncertainty a constant concern.
Moreover, job security is also no longer what it used to be. In many organisations, employees feel increasingly uncertain about their future. Companies can downsize, restructure, or terminate staff with little warning, leaving workers suddenly without income. This lack of stability has pushed many professionals to think beyond a single job and prepare alternative sources of income. In today’s environment, relying entirely on one employer is seen as a risk rather than a guarantee of security.
The country is witnessing the emergence of what can be described as a "second-income economy" an economy in which millions of people are no longer relying solely on their primary jobs to make ends meet.
Another growing concern is job rotation and unstable employment structures in sectors such as call centres, restaurants, retail, sales brands, and many more. Employees are often shifted between shifts, roles, or even locations with little consideration for their personal circumstances. In many cases, workers who already struggle to survive on a single income find themselves unable to take on additional jobs due to unpredictable schedules and long working hours. This system places them in a difficult position—one salary is not enough to meet family needs, yet the nature of their employment prevents them from earning more elsewhere. It creates a cycle of financial pressure with limited room for relief.
Not everyone has the flexibility to build a side hustle. Hamza Khan, a 24-year-old employee at a retail clothing brand in Islamabad, says his rotating shifts make it nearly impossible to take on additional work.
"My salary alone is not enough, but my schedule keeps changing," he says. "Some days I work mornings, other days in the evenings. I want a second source of income, but I can't commit to another job."
At the heart of this shift is a widening gap between earnings and everyday needs. For many middle-class families, financial planning has become increasingly difficult as expenses continue to outpace income. Whether it is children's education, housing costs, transportation, healthcare, or routine household spending, families are finding that a single paycheck stretches far less than it once did. As a result, many professionals are turning to additional sources of income not to become wealthy, but simply to maintain their standard of living and secure their future.
However, technology has made it easier than ever for people to earn extra income. Unlike previous generations, today's workers can use the internet and social media to turn their skills into earnings with little investment. What once required a shop or office can now often be managed from a smartphone or laptop.
The rise of e-commerce has further expanded opportunities. Thousands of Pakistanis now operate online stores selling clothing, accessories, cosmetics, electronics, handicrafts, and household items. For many professionals, these ventures begin as part-time activities.
Ali Raza, a 26-year-old office worker from Rawalpindi, earns extra income by selling products on Facebook Marketplace after office hours.
"What started with selling a few items online has now become a regular source of income," he said. "My salary only covers basic expenses, but the extra earnings help me manage rising costs and save a little for the future."
Freelancing has also become a popular source of income for many Pakistanis. Thousands of graphic designers, web developers, writers, digital marketers, and virtual assistants are working with international clients and earning foreign currency from home. For many professionals, freelancing has become an important second source of income alongside their regular jobs.
This has also transformed societal attitudes toward work. Previous generations often viewed employment through the lens of long-term organisational loyalty. The ideal career involved joining a company or government department, remaining there for decades, and eventually retiring with a pension and other benefits. Stability was prioritised over experimentation.
This shift reflects a broader change in mindset. People are investing in skills that can generate income independently of traditional employment structures. Personal branding, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and adaptability have become valuable assets. The modern professional is no longer defined solely by a job title but by a portfolio of skills and revenue sources.
Women, in particular, have benefited from the expansion of side-income opportunities. Digital platforms have enabled many women to establish home-based businesses while balancing family responsibilities. From online boutiques and home bakeries to freelance writing and virtual assistance services, women are increasingly contributing to household incomes through entrepreneurial activities. These opportunities have provided greater financial independence and expanded participation in economic activity.
Yet the rise of side hustles is not entirely a success story. While additional income can improve financial security, maintaining multiple jobs often comes at a personal cost. Many professionals work long hours, leaving little time for rest, family, or recreation. The boundary between professional and personal life becomes increasingly blurred.
Burnout has emerged as a growing concern. Individuals who spend eight or nine hours at their primary jobs may devote another three to five hours to side businesses or freelance projects. Weekends, once reserved for relaxation, are often consumed by additional work commitments. Physical exhaustion, mental stress, and declining work-life balance are common consequences.
The pressure to continuously earn more can also affect relationships and personal well-being. Parents may have less time to spend with their children. Social interactions become limited. Leisure activities are often sacrificed in pursuit of financial stability. While side hustles provide economic relief, they may simultaneously reduce opportunities for rest and emotional recovery.
At the same time, when both parents are working long hours, children often get less time and attention at home. Even though parents are working hard for their families, busy routines can leave children feeling alone or neglected. This can affect their emotional growth, studies, and behaviour. A balanced system should allow parents to earn enough while also having time for their children.
This raises an important question: Is the rise of side hustles a sign of economic opportunity or economic necessity?
The answer is perhaps both.
On one hand, side hustles show the resilience and creativity of Pakistanis. People are using technology, learning new skills, and creating new ways to earn income despite difficult conditions.
On the other hand, this growing trend also points to deeper economic problems. A full-time job should be enough to cover basic needs and allow some savings. When people are forced to find extra work just to survive, it raises concerns about low wages, rising costs, and weak purchasing power.
The expansion of Pakistan's second-income economy therefore tells two interconnected stories.
According to a 2025 report by the State Bank of Pakistan, more than 65% of the labour force operates in the informal sector, which is largely driven by such small-scale hustles and home-based ventures. As Ahsan Iqbal, former Minister for Planning and Development, noted, “In Pakistan, necessity often turns into opportunity. People create their own paths when traditional employment fails to provide answers.” From Karachi to KP, these efforts are reshaping local economies: home kitchens, Instagram clothing brands, student-led startups, and small delivery services are now part of everyday economic life.
For policymakers, employers, and economic planners, this trend deserves careful attention. Encouraging entrepreneurship and digital innovation is important, but so is ensuring that formal employment remains financially sustainable. Investments in skills development, digital infrastructure, financial inclusion, and economic stability can help transform side hustles from survival mechanisms into genuine pathways for growth and prosperity.
As Pakistan moves deeper into the digital age, the traditional concept of relying on a single paycheck is rapidly fading. The future workforce is increasingly characterised by flexibility, diversification, and multiple income streams. The schoolteacher who tutors online, the banker who manages an e-commerce store, the engineer who freelances for global clients, and the homemaker who runs a successful online business are all participants in a new economic reality.
Pakistan's second-income economy is no longer emerging; it has already arrived. It reflects both the challenges and the possibilities of contemporary life. Whether viewed as a response to hardship or a gateway to opportunity, one fact is undeniable: for a growing number of Pakistanis, one salary is simply no longer enough.
Furthermore, the government should also play its role by making sure that salaries are enough for people to meet their basic needs with dignity. A full-time job should be able to cover expenses like food, rent, education, healthcare, and bills so that people do not always need to look for extra work to survive.
Lastly, this trend reflects a society that is continuously adapting to financial pressures in search of stability and security. It highlights the determination of ordinary citizens who keep moving forward despite difficult circumstances.
At the same time, it points to an economic structure where income is increasingly unable to match rising living costs for many families.
Most importantly, it reminds us that hard work is not lacking in Pakistan. The real issue is whether that hard work is rewarded with enough to live a decent life.
The writer is a teacher and freelance contributor
All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the writer