I need advice please

Im starting to panic a little and would appreciate some honest advice.

Ive been struggling to find a job for quite a while now. After hundreds of applications, interviews, rejections, and ghosting, I started looking more seriously at phd opportunities in the UK and Europe. I genuinely enjoy research and would like to work in academia one day, so it's not completely random.

The problem is that after reading a lot of posts here, it seems that getting a funded phd is almost as competitive as getting a decent job. I'm applying for funded positions now, but I'm worried i am putting all my hopes into something that might not work out either.

Because of that, Im trying to think about a Plan B.

I know self-funded phds are usually considered a bad idea, and I'm not planning to take on huge debt. But are there any countries where doing a self-funded PhD is actually realistic? Places where tuition is affordable and it's possible to support yourself through part-time work, teaching, university jobs, research assistant roles, etc.?

For context, I have two master's degrees and I'm mainly looking at business, management, HR, organisational studies, and AI-related topics.

If you were in my position, would you keep focusing on funded phds, or would you also look at self-funded options as a backup?

I'd really appreciate any advice from people who have been through this.