CHINA There are 200 million Chinese who work for technology platforms

Almost a quarter of the active population works in activities related to the technology services industry and electronic commerce. One rapidly growing role is that of drivers for home delivery services. After the Covid pandemic, the 5 million distributors expanded their offer.

Beijing ( / Agencies) – According to data from a new report, Chinese internet platforms employ at least 200 million people, including full-time employees and casual or on-demand workers. According to data compiled by researchers at CyanHill Capital, a Beijing-based investment firm, major Chinese technology companies have cut their workforces due to the economic slowdown and regulatory hostility. However, in a country with 880 million workers, companies related to IT services and e-commerce are still among the largest employers. Its presence continues to be vital in the current scenario of youth unemployment, which today remains above 20% in China.

The largest group are truck drivers who work in the logistics of this sector. Together they add up to 16.5 million people. The second most significant group of workers dependent on Chinese technology platforms are on-demand drivers: with around 7 million active workers, they have become one of the fastest growing professions in the country in recent years. years, according to the report. In China, the number of new driver’s licenses increased by 32.6% in 2022. And the number of new drivers is growing at a daily rate that is five times the rate of last year.

Today, the largest group of so-called “gig workers” – casual workers whose services are contracted through platforms – is made up of 5 million delivery drivers. These have expanded their offer, going from food delivery to food, medicine and flower bouquets, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Another important new group of workers are programmers – there are 4 million in China – whose business keeps 3.8 million websites running.