The rise of the gig economy in the U.S.

The gig economy, or sharing economy, has been steadily growing in the United States. Widespread use of technology, in particular sharing apps such as Airbnb and Uber, in conjunction with the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009, set the stage for the rise of the gig economy, as people who were either out of work or were looking to supplement their wages were able to find small “gigs” more easily. As more people participate in the gig economy, particularly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, some speculate that the future of work is on a new trajectory.