Working Without Borders - The Promise and Peril of Online Gig Work : Short Note Series Number Six - Spotlight on Gender Gaps in Online Hourly Rates (English)

The global online gig workforce is expanding rapidly, now making up nearly 12 percent of the global labor force. The flexibility of working hours and location associated with online gig work uniquely positions it as an avenue to boost female labor force participation, especially in regions with limited local job opportunities. This short note takes a deep dive into gender-based disparities in access to these new forms of work, especially asking whether there is a gender gap in hourly rates that online gig workers ask for and earn from online tasks. The analysis uses data from over 19,000 profiles on one of the largest English-language freelancing platforms. Data from one of the largest global freelancing platforms shows that women quote approximately 10 percent lower hourly rates than men, likely reflecting a difference in confidence.