Eurofound’s platform economy database provides information on 281 initiatives and court cases
that exist or have been implemented in relation to activities in the platform economy. The
database was last updated in December 2022 and provides metadata for each entry, such as geographical scope, year, type of
initiative, actors involved, sector and companies concerned. Initiatives include legal
instruments such as legislative changes or court decisions, as well as voluntary
interventions undertaken by different stakeholders to address issues around platform work.
Eurofound provides metadata on the involved actors for each platform economy initiative. The graph
below shows the number of initiatives and court rulings by involved actor.
Eurofound's Platform Economy Database is a comprehensive resource that provides information on the platform
economy in the EU, often also referred to as the 'gig economy'. It includes data on initiatives and court rulings in EU Member States, as well as meta
data for sector, platform typology, and topics. The database covers a wide range of records related to the
platform economy, including establishment of alternative models (cooperatives), the organisation and representation
of workers, the provision of insurance and social protection, and tax and social
security issues. It also provides an overview of the different types of platforms and the sectors in which
they operate, such as transportation, accommodation, and food delivery services. The database is designed to
be a valuable tool for policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders interested in understanding the
impact of the platform economy on society, economy and regulation.
Access and usage of the data is free of charge. Users can download the entire database as CSV file below.
The platform economy is one of those moving targets, which, despite receiving increasing media and policy attention, has proven difficult to regulate. Given the heterogeneity of employment relationships, business models, types of platform work and cross-border issues, this is not surprising.
Technological change is accelerating as the capacity of electronic devices to digitally store, process and communicate information expands. Digitalisation is transforming the EU economy and labour markets: nearly one-third of EU workplaces are categorised as highly digitalised. What are the implications of the digital revolution for employment and work?
The rapid rise of the platform economy has led to a marked transformation of European labour markets, and existing regulatory frameworks and voluntary initiatives have yet to catch up. While platform work offers opportunities for workers and employers and potentially contributes to innovation, economic growth and competitiveness in the EU, it has been criticised from the beginning because of the poor employment and working conditions often experienced by workers.
While 2020 may come to be seen as the year platform work gathered pace and started to go mainstream – thanks in large part to COVID-19 containment measures sparking an increase in food and grocery delivery – 2021 could be the year that regulation of platform work is set in motion.
