Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The gig economy plays a significant role in China’s economic landscape by enhancing labor market flexibility and efficiency. It provides a crucial avenue for income diversification, particularly for marginalized groups and those in the informal sector, thus contributing to poverty alleviation and inclusive growth. Furthermore, the gig economy fosters innovation and entrepreneurship, driving the development of digital platforms and related industries, which are integral to China’s ongoing economic transformation. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the opportunities and challenges presented by China's gig economy. It examines the economic reforms and technological developments that have enabled its growth, alongside the precarious nature of gig work, particularly for internal migrants and women. This study adopts the research method of literature analysis. It can be concluded that the gig economy, while offering flexibility and income opportunities, exacerbates inequalities and precarity due to inadequate worker protections and platform accountability. To foster a more equitable and sustainable model in China, multi-level interventions focusing on labor rights, inclusive regulation, and worker empowerment are crucial.
Author: Yueyang Fu
Institution: University of Manchester
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4412495307