The Rise of the Gig Economy: Global Trends and Policy Implications—A Mixed Methods Study

Over the last decade, the gig economy has shifted from marginal to mainstream, propelled by platformization, demand for flexibility, and crisis shocks (COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine). These forces reconfigured work and exposed gaps in social protection, prompting governments to seek updated regulatory responses. Despite the growing political and economic relevance of the gig economy, its sectoral composition, regional characteristics, and regulatory responses remain insufficiently explored, particularly in transition economies. A lack of coherent legal frameworks and inconsistent labor protections for gig workers pose significant challenges to inclusive and sustainable labor market development. This article investigates the structural evolution of the gig economy through a multimethod approach that includes content analysis of industry and statistical reports, comparative legal analysis of regulatory models in the US, the EU, India, China, and Ukraine, and an in-depth case study of Ukraine’s gig sector under wartime conditions. Designed as a structured integrative review rather than a primary data investigation, the study introduces two conceptual models: a policy roadmap linking global principles with concrete steps for Ukraine and a causal framework of crisis-driven gig expansion. Together, these models synthesize existing evidence into tools that facilitate cross-country comparison and inform policy design.