The graying gig economy

🌈 Abstract

The article explores the growing trend of older individuals, aged 50 and above, turning to gig work as a means of supplementing their income or making ends meet. It highlights the challenges and experiences of this demographic within the gig economy, including issues around social safety nets, health concerns, and the stigma associated with gig work at an older age.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Older Individuals in the Gig Economy

1. What are the key reasons older individuals are turning to gig work?

• To keep up with rising living costs or make up for threadbare social security systems
• Unable to find employment elsewhere as they near retirement age
• Gig work as a second job that can be transitioned into full-time upon retirement or loss of employment
• Accessibility, flexibility, and low-barrier entry of gig work

2. What are the demographics of older gig workers?

• The average age for delivery workers is 29 and the average age for ride-hailing drivers is 36, but many older individuals are also turning to gig work
• Estimates suggest that people over 60 represent less than 5% of active workers for ride-hailing platforms in Latin America and Brazil
• In Vietnam, approximately 3% of motorbike drivers for the second most popular ride-hailing platform are over 50
• Globally, workers older than 55 represent around 3.8% of the online gig workforce, which could represent approximately 6.2 million workers

3. What are the expected trends in the participation of older individuals in the gig economy?

• The global population of people 65 or older is expected to double by 2050, surpassing 1.6 billion
• As family support systems erode and retirement savings become more difficult, the number of older individuals turning to gig work is expected to grow in the coming decades

[02] Challenges and Experiences of Older Gig Workers

1. What are the financial challenges faced by older gig workers?

• Gig work is the only source of income for many older workers, supporting their households
• Earnings from gig work are often not enough to sustain them in retirement, leading to the need to continue working
• Lack of access to social security systems and pension benefits for gig workers

2. What are the health and safety concerns for older gig workers?

• Health issues such as colon inflammation, constipation, exhaustion, and fatigue are common due to the physical demands of the work
• Increased risk of work-related injuries and accidents, with limited access to health insurance and worker's compensation
• Older gig workers tend to overexert themselves physically due to the lack of sick pay and the need to work long hours

3. How do older gig workers perceive their work and the associated stigma?

• Many older gig workers prefer to keep their jobs a secret from acquaintances due to the stigma associated with gig work at an older age
• Some older workers face ridicule and lack of respect from customers, who may not expect them to be doing "young people's jobs"
• However, some older workers value the flexibility and ability to work from home, especially in cases where traditional employment is no longer an option

[03] Efforts to Provide Social Protection for Older Gig Workers

1. What are the current social protection measures for older gig workers?

• In some countries, such as India and Chile, there are ongoing efforts to include gig workers in social security systems, but implementation remains a challenge
• In countries like Vietnam and South Africa, gig workers can voluntarily contribute to pension schemes, but the benefits are often inadequate
• Most gig workers remain excluded from social security systems, leaving them with limited retirement prospects

2. What are the challenges in providing social protection for older gig workers?

• Gig workers often struggle to contribute to social security systems due to low earnings and the need to pay various fees and commissions to platforms
• Lack of recognition and classification of gig workers as employees makes it difficult for them to access social protection benefits
• The dismantling of formal employment and the growth of the gig economy pose significant challenges in ensuring adequate social safety nets for older workers

3. What are the potential solutions and initiatives to address the social protection needs of older gig workers?

• Calls for regulations and reforms to ensure gig workers have access to labor and social protection rights, such as the establishment of social security funds
• Efforts by worker organizations to partner with insurance companies to create unemployment insurance and pension funds for gig workers
• The need for a reimagining of social security systems to ensure that all workers, regardless of employment status, have access to benefits