Young People In Swansea Struggle With Job Opportunities

Swansea is full of young people, with around 33,700 people between the ages of 16-24% (according to Swansea government data) – nearly 14% of the population! 

It’s hardly surprising with the city’s vast student population. Across Swansea University, University of Wales Trinity Saint David and Gower College, there are around 30,000 full-time students living in Swansea. And yet, the job opportunities are seemingly few and far between. 

As of March 2025, there were around 5,335 people in Swansea actively claiming benefits and an estimated 4,500 people unemployed. 

With high volumes of students and significant unemployment figures, there is a clear local demand for flexible income streams in Swansea.

Top Easy Online Side Hustles for Swansea’s Young People 

For young people in Swansea looking for some easy and fast ways to make money online, take a look at some ideas pulled together by Prograd.

1. Micro-tasking

One of the easiest online side hustles for people in Swansea is micro-tasking. These quick and easy tasks have a low entry barrier – most platforms just require you to sign up and immediately start earning. The tasks are simple, step-by-step jobs that can take as little as a few minutes and can soon start earning you easy cash. Whether it’s watching videos or shopping online, these tasks are a great way to earn cash or receive gift cards for major retailers. It’s an easy job for young people and its quick, flexible nature means that you can get on with your summer plans while still earning money on the side.

2. Get Paid to Play Games

This fun, online side hustle seems too good to be true but it is genuinely possible to get paid to play online games. Platforms like Prograd have countless opportunities available – simply set up a profile and gain access to a range of online games that reward you with cash. Whether you’re staying in Swansea for the summer, or travelling elsewhere, you can do this job online and make money on the go.

3. Paid Surveys Online

Brands and market researchers are always on the hunt for valuable feedback that helps guide their products, services and ads. Help them out by filling in quick surveys and sharing your thoughts – and get paid for it! From 20p to up to £9, you can get paid for just a few minutes of your time. Going through a platform like Prograd means that you can access different survey opportunities all in one place. It’s one of the quickest and easiest online side hustles around.

4. App Testing

There are various online opportunities available for getting paid to test apps or products. Like the online surveys, brands are often looking for people to test their apps and share their honest opinions about them. Platforms like UserTesting or TryMyUI are just some available for these kinds of online side jobs. Through quick and easy signups, you can download an app and then share some feedback about the user experience. Great for the company, and great for the user as an easy online side hustle. 

5. Online Tutoring

An easy and well-paid online side hustle for young people in Swansea is online tutoring. Whether you choose to be an expert tutor in your degree subject or prefer to expand your opportunities and tutor the subjects you did at A-Level or GCSE, there is usually a high demand for tutors. Depending on the subject and the position, you could earn anywhere from £12 to £80 per hour, making it one of the best paid online jobs for students.

6. Virtual Assistant

Another well-paid online side hustle is a virtual assistant. This remote position can earn up to £30 per hour depending on the company. If you’re a detail-oriented and organised person with time to spare this summer, you could be a valuable addition to teams looking for a virtual assistant. There’s a great deal of variety when it comes to virtual assistant roles – from startups and entrepreneurs to large businesses. And the best part? You can do it all from home!

7. Sell Your Clothes

Sustainable fashion is not just trendy – it’s also a great way to make extra cash online this summer. Coming to the end of your uni year in Swansea or simply looking for a wardrobe revamp? Sites like Depop and Ebay make it easy for you to sell your clothes online. All you need to do is create an account, upload photos and set a price – then watch the cash come in. This is a low-effort, easy online side hustle that can give new life to old clothes and help you fund your summer plans.

Earn Easy Cash in Swansea This Summer

Being a young person in Swansea can be expensive, but whatever your financial goals, there are lots of easy ways to make money online this summer. Whether you want to devote just half an hour a day or are looking for something more long-term, maximise your funds this summer and make a significant impact on your earnings.