In an article in The Financial Review about 2 months ago, it was...

In an article in The Financial Review about 2 months ago, it was estimated (based on trading patterns on CommSec and ETrade) that there were between 4,000 to 10,000 full time traders in Australia (people who trade every trading day).

In a separate report, around 9,000 people have used CFDs in Australia.

I guess some people take to trading for the lure of easy money (albeit high risk) instead of working in a job. Some people might have lost jobs and looked for an alternative. How they fare, probably depends on their skill level, risk management and capital base and also an element of luck.

Most people probably do it part time.

I am a full time investor, but trade occasionally when I see easy money for the taking.