Maybe the ways these people have found to survive has grown for decades. People are simply taking advantage of the opportunity. I am not implying this is the only reason but it maybe one reason. It also depends on how these people are counted.

Does a person that lives a sailing cruiser life style count as being employed. Many people in that category make money on Youtube, move rich peoples boats in the off season and do boat repair work and cleaning etc. They simply do not have a traditional job.