FreelanceSwitch.com is a blog full of insights and resources for the freelancers and consultants of the world (For those wondering about what's the difference between the two, this link provides a good explanation). They conducted a survey last year, and published the results of the survey today. You can download the survey results here. 

A few statistics in the 50+ page report that I found very interesting are:

•  32.6% of freelancers earn less than they can from full-time employment.
• 80% freelancers would prefer more money.
• Only 22% of the freelancers work less and earn more compared to their prior job-oriented careers… and yet
• 88.9% of the freelancer are happier now that they are freelancing.

Some more interesting statistics, particularly for the Pakistani Freelancers

• Referrals account for 89% of new work (so keep your clients happy)
• 15% work comes through blogs (start a blog duh)
• The hourly average rate for softwre developers is around 73$ (stop charging 13$ per hour Pakis, its the lowest rate in the world (besides Bulgaria and Indonesia) in the survey.
• UK freelance programmers charge the highest rate (158$)
• Of the industries categorized in the survey, software designers and programmers earn the most.

Let me know if you find anything else of interest in the survey pdf.

Oh, and do join the Pakistani Freelancers group on Facebook if you are one.