there were always people in our history who learned but the vast majority worked.
Exactly as today. The non-Chareidim are the majority of the Israeli population. Even if EVERY Chareidi was learning full time, most people would still be working. But don’t try to take away ANY Chareidim from learning. Chareidi full time Torah learners are a minority of the overall Jewish population.
see what the Rambam writes about people using Torah to earn a livin-
The Ramah and Shach in Hilchos Talmud Torah says that nowadays you’re allowed to live off tzedakah to learn Torah.