This digital story presents headline findings on the working conditions and information needs of online platform workers across key areas: Who platform workers are; Where they operate geographically; Their working conditions and earnings; How algorithmic management impacts their work; Information needs about rights and protecting workers in the digital economy.
Eurofound recommends citing this publication in the following way.
Eurofound (2026), Online platform work in the European Union: Implications for working conditions and access to information, digital story.
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European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
The tripartite EU agency providing knowledge to assist in the development of better social, employment and work-related policies
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European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
Research report
Dragoș Adăscăliței+3
28 May 2026
28 May 2026
Online platform work in the European Union: Implications for working conditions and access to information
This report analyses the working conditions and information needs of online platform workers based on a survey of 3 830 workers across 15 EU Member States. Unlike existing research focused on on-location platform work, this study examines workers who provide services entirely online. The findings reveal a workforce that is predominantly male, of prime working age and highly educated, primarily delivering skilled professional services rather than microtasks.