The Evolution of the Online Platform Economy: Evidence from Five Years of Banking Data
AEA Papers and Proceedings
vol. 109,
May 2019
(pp. 362-66)
(Complimentary)
Abstract
Measuring the gig economy has been challenging. Drawing on anonymized administrative banking data, we measure supply-side participation in the online platform economy between 2013 and 2018. We find 2.3 million account holders who received payments from 128 transportation, non-transport work, selling, and leasing platforms. Participation grew rapidly, particularly in the transportation sector. Average monthly revenues declined among drivers and increased among lessors even within metro areas. At least a third—and likely more—of the decline in transportation revenues is driven by decreases in hours worked. These findings raise important policy questions and motivate promising directions for future work.Citation
Farrell, Diana, Fiona Greig, and Amar Hamoudi. 2019. "The Evolution of the Online Platform Economy: Evidence from Five Years of Banking Data." AEA Papers and Proceedings, 109: 362-66. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20191040Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- C81 Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data; Data Access
- J22 Time Allocation and Labor Supply
- J23 Labor Demand
- L84 Personal, Professional, and Business Services