The UK gig economy is growing at an astonishing rate, some statistics off the back of an ONS (Office for National Statistics) survey suggest the UK gig economy continues to grow post pandemic and is fast becoming the chosen way to work by millions of people to either realise a better work-life balance or to supplement their full time income.
- According to a 2021 survey by the ONS, around 5 million people in the UK were working in the gig economy, representing around 15% of the total working-age population.
- The same survey found that gig workers were more likely to be younger, with over a third of gig workers aged between 16 and 24.
- Around two-thirds of gig workers in the UK were found to have another job in addition to their gig work.
- In 2020, it was estimated that the UK gig economy was worth around £28 billion.
- A 2020 study by the Resolution Foundation found that gig workers in the UK earn on average 25% less per hour than those in traditional employment.
- The same study found that gig workers are more likely to experience in-work poverty, with almost a quarter of gig workers in the UK earning less than two-thirds of median hourly earnings.
- The number of gig workers in the UK has increased dramatically in recent years, with a 76% increase in gig workers between 2016 and 2020.
- The gig economy is not limited to certain industries, with gig workers found in a range of sectors, including transport, food delivery, and cleaning services.
These statistics highlight some of the challenges faced by gig workers in the UK, including low pay and income insecurity. However, the gig economy also offers many benefits, such as flexible working hours and the ability to work from anywhere. It is important that the UK government and businesses work together to find a solution that balances these benefits and the rights of gig workers. Could gig working become the answer to achieving zero unemployment, with all jobs being filled with job-share or shift working?