What people do? Depends? Young, single, no bills/family, employable skills? then take your time. Else? people try to survive. Worry about money, look for a job. Learning new skills is good, some people go back to school.

1- Not a choice

2- As little time as I can (have bills to pay)

3- Get back to work and worry all day. It takes time to search. As a freelancer, how do you get projects? they just happen? How do you find gigs, online?

I don't know what you define as 'large percentage' of people - If you really want to know what people, you could read this Gawker series and get a sense of what is out there.

http://gawker.com/tag/hello-from-the-underclass