Meituan's Food Delivery Workers Earn More Than Average Beijingers, Exploring the Gig Economy's Growth

Meituan's Earnings Insights in the Gig Economy

Meituan, China's leading on-demand services provider, has released data indicating that its food delivery workers earn a higher average salary than the local population in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Workers meeting the company's minimum hours earn an average of 11,000 yuan (approximately US$1,550), surpassing the per-capita disposable income in Beijing.

Shifts in Employment Patterns

• In the first half of the year, delivery workers in Beijing increased by 50% year over year to 17,000.
• Despite a slight dip in the unemployment rate to 4.1%, many gig workers pursue these roles as temporary jobs.
• Approximately 23% of China's workforce is engaged in flexible employment, with about 200 million identified as gig workers.

Government Support for Gig Workers

With the rise in gig employment, the Chinese government has implemented measures to safeguard flexible workers' rights, a demographic often missing formal labor protections. In 2022, a pilot program was launched to provide occupational injury insurance to these workers, with 60% of Meituan riders covered last year.

Company Performance Highlights

Meituan reported robust financial performance with revenue increasing by over 21% year on year to 82.3 billion yuan and profits exceeding 11 billion yuan.

Recently, it expanded its international services to Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, following its entry into Hong Kong.