In Guangzhou, the gig economy is rapidly expanding, with 19% of the city's workforce now engaged in gig work, surpassing China's national average of 14.3%. This statistic comes from a recent survey conducted by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, which analyzed data from 3,000 households. Despite this growth in gig employment, Guangzhou's GDP growth has been sluggish, recorded at just 2% in the first three quarters of 2024, significantly below the national growth rate of 4.8%. Notably, 84.1% of local GDP growth is attributed to the services sector, highlighting the importance of gig work in the city's economy [19870d32].
In the United States, a Bureau of Labor Statistics report published on November 8, 2024, shows that approximately 15.5 million people, or 10.2% of the American labor force, are employed in the gig economy. This percentage has remained stable since pre-pandemic levels, with the last report in May 2017 indicating a 10.1% share. The report is based on a special supplement to the Current Population Survey for July 2023. The largest category of gig workers in the U.S. are independent contractors, who tend to be older. Interestingly, young Americans aged 16 to 24 are four times more likely to have contingent jobs than those aged 25 to 54, with 12.9% of younger workers in gig roles compared to just 3.1% of prime-age workers [ad32dd25].
The gig workforce in Guangzhou reflects broader trends seen across China, where over 200 million individuals are engaged in various forms of gig work. The demographic of gig workers is diverse; for instance, the average age of takeaway riders is 39, and they work an average of 62 hours per week. In contrast, nannies and housekeepers, predominantly women, have an average age of 57, while e-commerce streaming workers are generally younger, averaging 31 years old and working about 45 hours per week. This demographic diversity raises concerns about job security and working conditions within the gig economy [19870d32].
Moreover, the rise of electric bikes for deliveries has been notable in Guangzhou, with 6 million registered as of July 2024, indicating a shift towards more efficient delivery methods. However, the increasing reliance on gig workers also poses economic challenges, as the rapid growth of this sector may not translate into stable employment opportunities or adequate social protections for workers [19870d32].
In the U.S., the preference for permanent jobs among contingent workers has decreased to 45% from over 50% since 2017, indicating a shift in attitudes towards gig work. The BLS plans to release future estimates on digital platform employment, which may further illuminate trends in this sector [ad32dd25].
As both Guangzhou and the U.S. navigate the complexities of their respective gig economies, they must balance the benefits of flexible work arrangements with the need for sustainable economic growth and job security for their residents. The ongoing developments in the gig sector will likely continue to shape the economic landscape and influence policy discussions surrounding labor rights and protections in the coming years [19870d32].