Socioeconomic differentiation among food delivery workers in China: The case of Nanjing

Abstract

In China, the booming platform economy has reshaped the urban labor market, offering entry-level opportunities to urban residents, particularly rural migrant workers. Unlike traditional sectors characterized by occupational segregation between rural migrants and urban locals, platform-based gig jobs, such as food delivery and ride-hailing, have attracted both groups, creating a diverse labor force. This paper utilizes data from a recent questionnaire survey and face-to-face interviews with food delivery workers in Nanjing to investigate socioeconomic disparities among urban locals, urban migrants, and rural migrants all engaged in the same occupation. Among these groups, rural migrant workers have the lowest socioeconomic status and worst living conditions, often perceiving food delivery as a last-resort means of livelihood. Conversely, most urban locals and urban migrants turn to food delivery to supplement their family incomes or as a temporary job while pursuing other career opportunities. Furthermore, both rural and urban migrant workers experience a higher degree of job insecurity compared to urban locals. These disparities in socioeconomic status and subjective well-being among the three groups within the food delivery labor force influence their divergent life prospects in terms of career paths and settlement intentions.