Studies show that Uber and ride-hailing services are continuously becoming more popular as a way not only to get around, but also well as an alternative form of income for those who drive for app-based companies.

One driver shares his opinion of why working in the gig economy is best for him.

“I like the flexibility because … life happens,” said Dwayne Bell, a full-time driver for Uber from Chicago, according to Illinois Business Daily. “I don't have to be penalized for taking time off other than the loss of earnings. But to me, that’s something that, you know, I can accommodate.”

A report, Gallup’s Perspective on The Gig Economy and Alternative Work Arrangements (2018), estimated that the number of gig workers had risen to 36% of the U.S. workforce or about 59 million Americans. The same Gallup report estimates that 29% of all U.S. workers are doing gig work as their primary job. It also reported that 64% of gig workers said they preferred their alternative work arrangement.

Uber offers its services in 10,000 cities across 71 countries and had 101 million active monthly platform users as of June 2021.

"As the pandemic took hold, the world came to a screeching halt and in just a few days, we went from connecting over 16 million trips a day to urging our riders to stay home," Uber said in December 2020. "We committed to move only what mattered most: getting first responders to work, and getting food to those who needed it. And as everyone stayed home to stay safe, we found meaningful ways to use the Uber app."

The company reported that as of December 2020, it had paid its drivers and delivery people $142 billion in cumulative payments since its inception in March 2009.

A global survey of 800 corporate executives in September 2020 conducted by the management consulting firm McKinsey & Company found that 70% of those polled were planning to increase their reliance on gig workers post-pandemic.