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As summer break begins, Gen Z is signing up for gig economy jobs at a faster rate than any other age group.
According to mobile app analytics firm Apptopia, workers aged 17 to 25 represent the fastest-growing demographic on major gig platforms so far in Q2 2026. Data through May 17 shows gig app registrations in this age group rose 8.4% compared to the same period last year.
The surge aligns with the end of the school year. In May 2025, active Gen Z users on these apps increased 12% year-over-year. This month, that growth has already jumped to 24%. Daily active users among Gen Z have also climbed steadily in recent years.
Why gig work?
Flexibility, low barriers to entry, and competitive pay are key draws. Traditional summer opportunities — whether entry-level retail, restaurant jobs, or internships — have become harder to secure amid economic uncertainty and corporate cutbacks in entry-level hiring, partly due to AI adoption.
“Young workers are increasingly turning to gig platforms because they offer flexible schedules and relatively quick access to income,” an Apptopia spokesperson noted.
The trend is visible on social media, where TikTok users post videos of their DoorDash, Uber Eats, and delivery runs under hashtags like #summerjob.
Standout performers:
- GoPuff saw the biggest jump, with a 97.5% year-over-year increase in signups from 17- to 25-year-olds midway through Q2.
- Lyft’s driver app followed closely with 70.3% growth in the same demographic.
Most gig platforms require workers to be at least 18 years old.
While Gen Z leads the charge, the summer bump isn’t exclusive to them. Apptopia’s data also shows modest increases among workers aged 36–45 and 46+, while usage among 26- to 35-year-olds dipped slightly.
The findings are based on U.S. user data across six major delivery and ride-hailing apps, drawn from app store metrics and Apptopia’s panel of roughly 15 million users.