The recent news that the number of gig economy workers in mainland China is set to surpass 300 million has drawn significant attention. Some are concerned that this surge indicates a slowing economy and difficulty in finding stable work. Others, taking the term at face value, simplistically equate gig work with "intermittent unemployment" and even sensationalize by claiming China's unemployment rate is as high as "40%" based on the notion that over 3 out of 7 billion workers are in flexible employment.
This data originates from the "2025 Research Report on China's Blue-Collar Employment" released by the China New Employment Form Research Center. This annual report, based on 28,450 valid samples, studies changes in China's blue-collar job market from 2024 to 2025. It posits that in the digital economy era, the blue-collar workforce is transitioning from "survival-based employment" to "development-based employment." Regarding gig work, the report estimates that gig workers in China will reach 280 million in 2025, with a forecast to increase to 320 million in 2026, accounting for over 40% of urban employment. This signifies a shift from a "supplementary form" to a "key pillar" in the job market.
This is an institutional sampling survey report. Due to differences in how various institutions define, sample, and extrapolate data for gig work, these figures should not be directly converted or compared with employment and unemployment indicators published by the National Bureau of Statistics. It is particularly incorrect to use them to deduce a so-called unemployment rate, as this violates statistical principles and can easily amplify social anxiety.
Why the Link to Unemployment?
A primary reason many associate gig work with unemployment is the common perception that equates it with traditional "odd jobs." Under this stereotype, gig work is seen as an unstable state of "feast or famine," which is how the term "intermittent unemployment" arose.
Key Distinctions Between the Two
Gig work cannot be equated with intermittent unemployment. The core difference is that intermittent unemployment is a passive outcome where workers, willing and able to work, are forced to lose job opportunities, not voluntarily pausing work, and are temporarily unable to obtain any paid labor. The essence is a failure in labor supply-demand matching. In contrast, gig work is an employment model chosen by workers based on needs for time freedom, career preference, or skill matching. Even if their work hours don't follow a standard "9-to-5" schedule, they are still continuously providing labor and earning legal income, albeit with flexible pay cycles and contract forms.
Drivers of the Gig Economy Surge
The main reason for the sharp increase in gig workers in recent years is the advent of the digital economy and the rapid development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Fundamental changes in how people live and travel have led to transformations in employment forms, which are actually a result of lifestyle changes. Particularly with the rise of the platform economy, diverse labor relationships like "one-to-many," "many-to-one," and labor cooperation have taken center stage. Therefore, at this stage, gig work is far from the low-level "odd jobs" of decades past.
The Evolving Nature of Gig Work
In terms of the workforce, other reports show that over 120,000 young people under 24 participate in gig work, with over 60% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. Regarding job types, beyond delivery, ride-hailing, and domestic services, there are numerous technical roles with higher skill requirements, covering knowledge-intensive fields like IT development, AI support, cloud services, and data analysis. These positions include freelance software engineers, algorithm consultants, AI trainers, and cross-border e-commerce technical operators. Gig work has evolved from traditional "odd jobs" towards new professional forms characterized by high skills, project-based work, and platformization.
Emerging Trends and Income Levels
The current rise of "One-Person Companies" (OPCs) based on AI innovation and application signals a new form of gig work entering the economy. Statistics show that by June 2025, the number of OPCs nationwide had exceeded 16 million. Income for gig workers is also growing rapidly. The aforementioned report indicates that high-earning roles include maternity matrons (10,128 yuan/month), delivery personnel (8,325 yuan/month), and truck drivers (8,279 yuan/month), all with average monthly incomes exceeding 8,000 yuan.
Attractiveness and Social Security
In fact, the appeal of gig work, besides its flexible nature attractive to youth, includes its "cost-effectiveness." A previous market analysis report showed that 43.8% of gig workers in China earned less than 5,000 yuan per month, while 56.2% earned more than 5,000 yuan, with 10.4% exceeding 10,000 yuan. Therefore, gig workers are not synonymous with low-income earners. A basic social security mechanism for them is already established, with 91.5% participating in basic medical insurance and 86.2% covered by work injury insurance.
Considerations and the Global Context
Of course, it's important to recognize that such income is often closely tied to work intensity, hours, order cycles, and skill experience. A single month's high income cannot simply represent the annual average, which places higher demands on vocational training, social security, and rights protection. Gig work is not unique to China. The International Labour Organization notes a rising global trend in non-standard employment. In the United States, 38% of the workforce (64 million people) were engaged in gig work in 2023.
Conclusion: A Misguided View
Therefore, the view that gig work is "intermittent unemployment" or a "last resort" for workers is not only one-sided and incorrect but also reflects a lack of understanding of how employment forms are changing amidst new economic and technological developments. In the outline for the 15th Five-Year Plan, promoting high-quality and full employment is a key goal for the next five years, and supporting the healthy development of gig work is one important pathway to expanding and improving employment. Moving forward, with the vigorous implementation of the "AI Plus" initiative, it is crucial to fully leverage its positive role in promoting employment and creating more high-quality jobs for workers.
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