In January 2023, Uber conducted a survey among 9’671 drivers and couriers that recently joined the Uber platform in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain*. 

The collected responses show that freedom and flexibility are the most significant motivators for drivers and couriers to sign-up with Uber. The desire to ‘be my own boss’ (37%) was the biggest single motivation for drivers and couriers in why they wanted to sign-up in the first place, and the flexibility ‘in where and when I work’ (83%) was the factor that had the biggest impact on their decision. 

Economic factors are also key drivers for sign-ups. Wanting to make more money, being unemployed, and the challenge of inflation were the next three biggest reasons for wanting to sign-up to the Uber platform. 


Why did you decide to sign-up to drive or deliver on the Uber platform?

When asked about the impact of certain factors on their decision to start using the Uber app, independence-related factors scored the highest. In total, 83% cited flexibility and 74% not having a boss. This is particularly noteworthy in the context of the current debate around the reclassification of independent platform workers into employees across Europe. 


How much did each of the following impact your decision to sign up to drive or deliver? 

Percentages shown include the answer options “Big impact” and “Some impact”.


Another factor that had an important impact on the decision to sign up for 76% of drivers and couriers is inflation and the higher costs of goods and services. In combination with the fact that 34% also state that they started to use Uber as an additional way to earn, in order to supplement their existing income, this underlines the importance of platform work and how it can be part of the solution to the current economic and inflationary crisis in Europe. 

The above responses are also broadly in line with previously conducted research, eg. by Accenture, Oxford Economics and Copenhagen Economics. That’s why we believe that platform workers should not have to choose between protections and flexible work. National governments, platform workers and the sector have demonstrated how you can strengthen independent work with industry-wide minimum standards negotiated through social dialogue or mandated in law.

We are convinced that there are better ways forward to increase protections and benefits while protecting the flexibility that platform workers value most.

 

*Responses were given by 5108 drivers and 4563 couriers, who downloaded the Uber app in the last 10 months. Survey was distributed via email CRM to drivers and couriers in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain. Responses were gathered from January 11 to 12, 2023.