20 Gig Economy Statistics in 2024: US & Worldwide
Posts by Kelly IndahJuly 6, 2023
If you hadn’t heard of it, the gig economy is a swiftly growing market in the world’s economy.
This is one reason you need to stay updated on the most recent gig economy statistics and trends.
In this resource, we’ll explore the gig economy realm from the global and the United States perspectives.
We’ll cover how many people are working in the gig economy, and other statistics and facts.
Let’s explore some statistics about the gig economy both in the United States and in the world.
Key Statistics
- 36% of the workers in the United States contribute to the gig economy.
- By 2027, the gig economy is expected to become the bulk of America’s workforce.
- The average salary of a freelancer in the United States is about $33 per hour.
- 44% of U.S. gig workers rely on the gig economy for their primary income.
- A whopping 84% of gig workers find real purpose in their jobs.
- There are an estimated 1.57 billion gig workers in the world.
- The United States, India, and China account for the largest gig economy.
- Emerging growth is occurring in developing countries as gig platform usage surges over 30%.
- Globally, gig workers average around $19 per hour.
- The United Kingdom has reached an estimated 7.25 million gig workers.
US Gig Economy Statistics
Here are the statistics we gathered about the United States gig economy.
1. 36% of The Workers in The United States Contribute to The Gig Economy.
Data from 2020 revealed that 36% of gig workers contribute to the overall gig economy in the nation.
This accounts for 57 million of the world’s 1.57 billion freelancers, crowd workers, gig workers, and other self-employed persons in the world.
(Deloitte, Zipdo, 2023)
2. By 2027, the Gig Economy Is Expected to Become the Bulk of America’s Workforce.
The gig economy, which is considered part of the “alternative workforce) ideal, is expected to be the rule rather than the exception in the United States by becoming the bulk of the workforce in the country.
(Deloitte, Upwork Research)
3. The Average Salary of A Freelancer in The United States Is About $63.53 per Hour.
According to ZipRecruiter, the American freelancer/gig worker makes an average of $63.53 an hour. That’s the national average for all freelancers in the United States.
The range of gig workers’ salaries is between $14.66 and over $130.00 per hour. However, most freelancers earn between $25.72 and $87.02 per hour.
(ZipRecruiter)
4. 44% of U.S. Gig Workers Rely on The Gig Economy for Their Primary Income.
Research shows that 44% of U.S. gig workers rely on the gig economy for their primary income.
Therefore, out of all the gig workers in the country, nearly half of them rely solely on the income they earn from their gig work.
(Edison Research, 2018)
5. A Whopping 84% of Gig Workers Find Real Purpose in Their Jobs.
One survey revealed that 84% of gig workers/freelancers feel they find purpose in the gig economy.
A McKinsey Global Institute survey found that 975 of contractors (also part of the gig economy) said they are much happier than people in conventional jobs.
(Inc., Medium)
6. In The U.S. Florida Has the Highest Percentage of Gig Workers.
In 2020, the ADP Research Institute published a report about the gig economy, which they call the “shadow workforce”.
It shows that in 2019, Florida had the highest percentage of gig workers in the country. In fact, 22% of Florida’s whole workforce consists of gig workers.
(ADP Research Institute, 2020)
7. In Around 40% of U.S. Organizations, Gig Workers Account for One in Four Workers.
The data from the ADP report also revealed that roughly 40% of organizations gig workers account for at least one in four total workers.
Overall, one in six workers in American companies is a gig worker.
(ADP Research Institute, 2020)
8. By 2027, the United States Is Expected to Have More Gig Workers than Traditional Workers.
In just under three years, the United States’ workforce is expected to consist of more gig workers than traditional workers by 2027.
This means more people are expected to be working for themselves in a flexible, gig or freelance job by 2027.
(Gitnux Blog, 2023)
9. In The United States, Men Are More Apt to Work in The Gig Economy than Women at 31%.
Men make up the largest percentage of gig workers at 31%, while women account for 18% of the gig economy.
There is a gender gap, but it’s likely a choice more than fate. Interestingly, women (56%) are more apt to have a gig job as their secondary income that men (51%) are.
(Edison Research, 2018)
10. 55% of African American/black Gig Workers Use the Gig Economy as Their Main Source of Income.
Among ethnicities, the Black//African American community makes up 55% of those who use gig work as their main source of income.
The Hispanic/Latino community is second at 47%. Among the Caucasian/White community 41% use gig work as their primary income source.
(Edison Research, 2018)
Global Gig Economy Statistics
Let’s discuss the statistics in regard to the world here.
11. It’s Estimated that There Are 1.57 Billion Gig Workers in The World.
This sector is rapidly growing and is expected to achieve $500 billion (USD) in growth over the next five years.
We can expect to see more gig economy jobs in the future. This accounts for nearly half of the world’s workforce (46.4%)
(Gitnux Blog, 2023, MarketSplash, 2023)
12. The United States, India, and China account for the most contributions to the gig economy.
According to gig economy statistics, the United States, India, and China account for the highest number of gig workers in the world.
Much of the gig economy jobs come from the world’s western countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
However, there is plenty of gig work to go around in other parts of the world.
(Mastercard 2020 Gig Economy Report, World Bank, 2022)
13. Emerging Growth Is Occurring in Developing Countries as Gig Platform Usage Surges Over 30%.
In the world’s developing countries, we’re seeing significant growth in gig platform usage. In fact, we’ve seen a 30% uptake among developing countries on gig platforms.
In terms of proportion, developed countries have a lower proportion of people using gig platforms.
(Deloitte, MarketSplash, 2023)
14. Globally, Gig Workers Average Around $19 per Hour.
To some people on the globe, $19 an hour equals a good salary, but to others, it doesn’t. The most recent data shows that gig workers (freelancers) earn an average of $19 an hour.
Unfortunately, that’s a decrease from 2014 when the average was $21 an hour.
(The Small Business Blog, 2023)
15. The United Kingdom Has Reached an Estimated 7.25 Million Gig Workers.
Data from 2023 revealed that there are now 7.25 million gig workers in the United Kingdom. This accounts for around 22.1% of the whole United Kingdom workforce.
This figure is up from the 14.7 that was reported in 2021. For perspective, there were 2.4 million gig workers in the United Kingdom in 2016.
(Standout CV, 2023)
16. The Global Gig Economy Sector Is Predicted to Grow at A CAGR of 16.178% by 2027.
As the gig worker economy expands, evolves, and grows, it’s expected to achieve a CAGR of 16.18%, which will amount to $873 million (USD) by 2027.
This is no small feat. This represents a massively new trajectory in the global workforce in the next three years.
(LinkedIn)
17. India Has Prevailed as The Second-Largest Gig Economy Sector as Of 2022.
India is now the second second-largest gig economy, right behind the United States, which is the largest.
Globally, India accounts for 40% of all gig/freelance jobs in the world.
Currently, there are more than 15 million gig workers working in the Human Resouces, Design, and IT industries.
(BW Disrupt, 2023)
18. In The UK, 48% of Gig Workers Also Work Full-Time Jobs.
The statistics show that 48% of all gig workers in the United Kingdom also have full-time jobs.
Another 71.5% of gig workers rely on half of that income, but not all of it as their only source of income.
Finally, only 9.4% fully rely on gig work to generate their main source of income.
(Standout CV, 2023)
19. Most of The UK’s Gig Workers Are in London.
In terms of where in the UK most gig workers live and work, which would be London with 21% of the share of gig workers.
Second to London, 16.6% of gig workers reside in Yorkshire and the Humber.
The lowest gig worker percentage in the UK is in the East Midlands with 9.4% of the total gig workers in the UK.
(Standout CV, 2023)
20. 39% of UK’s Gig Workers Conduct Office Tasks via Computer.
Most of the UK gig workers perform office tasks on their computers, at 39%.
Second to office work, 27.9% of UK gig workers produce skilled online work such as software, design, and editing. Only 17.4% of gig workers deliver food via scooter, moped, or bicycle.
(Standout CV, 2023)
FAQs
What Is a Gig Worker?
A gig worker is someone who performs short-term work or freelance jobs for multiple clients.
Gig workers are typically independent contractors, meaning they aren’t employees of any company.
They have optimal flexibility and independence, but they don’t have access to traditional benefits like health insurance or paid time off.
What Are the Benefits of Gig Working?
There are many benefits to gig working, including:
• Flexibility: Gig workers can set their own hours and work from anywhere.
• Independence: Gig workers are their own boss and have control over their work.
• Opportunity: The gig economy offers a variety of opportunities to earn money.
What Are the Challenges of Gig Working?
There are also some challenges to gig working, including:
• No benefits: Gig workers don’t get traditional benefits like health insurance or paid time off.
• nstability: The gig economy can be unstable and volatile, with work coming and going.
• No protection: Gig workers aren’t protected by the same labor laws as employees.
How Do I Get Started in Gig Work?
There are a few things you can do to get started with gig working:
• Identify your skills and interests. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing?
• Research gig platforms. There are many different gig platforms available, so it’s important to do your research and find the ones that are right for you.
• Create a profile. Once you’ve chosen some gig platforms, create a profile and highlight your skills and experience.
• Start bidding on jobs. Once you have a profile, you can start bidding on jobs. Be sure to set your rates and availability.
What Are the Top 10 Gig Working Platforms in The World?
ere are the top 10 gig working platforms in the world:
Upwork: Has over 18 million registered freelancers and 5 million clients
A global freelancing platform that connects businesses with independent professionals.
Offers a wide range of freelance services, including web development, graphic design, writing, and translation.
Fiverr: Has over 2 million registered freelancers and 3 million buyers
A global marketplace where businesses can find freelancers to complete small tasks, known as “gigs.”
Gigs on Fiverr typically range in price from $5 to $500.
DoorDash: Has over 1 million active Dashers
A food delivery platform that connects restaurants with drivers who deliver food to customers.
Available in over 4,000 cities in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Instacart: Has over 500,000 active shoppers
A grocery delivery platform that connects shoppers with customers who need groceries delivered.
Available in over 5,500 cities in the United States and Canada.
Uber: Has over 11 million active drivers.
A ride-sharing platform that connects drivers with riders who need rides.
Available in over 60 countries and 600 cities.
Lyft: Has over 5 million active drivers
A ride-sharing platform that competes with Uber.
Available in over 60 countries and 600 cities.
TaskRabbit: Has over 2 million active taskers.
An online platform designed to connect individuals with local “taskers” to help them with a wide range of “tasks” such as furniture assembly, grocery shopping, and pet sitting.
Available in over 40 cities in the United States and Canada.
Guru: Has over 3 million registered freelancers and 1 million clients.
A platform that connects businesses with freelancers who can provide a variety of services, such as web development, graphic design, and writing.
PeoplePerHour: Has over 1 million registered freelancers and 500,000 clients.
A platform that connects businesses with freelancers who can provide a variety of services, such as web development, graphic design, and writing.
Available in over 190 countries.
Toptal: Has over 10,000 top-rated freelancers.
A platform that connects businesses with top-tier freelancers who can provide a variety of services, such as web development, software engineering, and data science.
This list is just a sampling of the gig working platforms that are available.
It’’s important to do your research and find the ones that are right for you.
Conclusion
By now, you should know how many people work in the gig economy across the globe and its impact.
We know the benefits and challenges of working as a gig worker, which should help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
We’ve also learned what a “gig economy” means and the platforms with the most workers.
Additionally, we found out that there is no “typical” gig worker because this is a very diverse and richly cultured work segment.
We hope you’ve learned something new from these gig economy statistics and that you can apply them to your life in some way.