Business
What is The gig economy?
The gig economy is a labor market built on short-term, flexible jobs and freelance work rather than permanent employment. Think ride-share drivers, food-delivery couriers, and freelancers paid per task or 'gig'.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains the gig economy.
Key things to understand
- 1Workers take on short, flexible jobs instead of fixed roles.
- 2Often app-based (ride-share, delivery, freelancing platforms).
- 3Offers flexibility but usually no benefits or job security.
- 4It's grown rapidly with smartphones and platform apps.
Frequently asked questions
- What is an example of the gig economy?
- Driving for a ride-share app, delivering food, or freelancing on a platform, paid per task.
- What are the pros and cons of gig work?
- Pros: flexibility and independence. Cons: unstable income and few benefits like health cover or paid leave.
- Why has the gig economy grown?
- Smartphones and apps made it easy to match workers with short tasks on demand.