South Korea is seeing a rapid increase in middle-aged workers shifting to app-based delivery jobs as economic pressures intensify.
The trend aligns with a broader global move toward gig-economy work among older adults seeking immediate and flexible income sources.
Industry data show that rider registrations on South Korea’s major food-delivery apps—platforms comparable to DoorDash and Uber Eats—have doubled among people in their 40s and 50s over the past 3 years.
The shift comes as unemployment rises among mid-career workers. South Korean government data indicate that about 55,000 people in this age group were out of work as of June, already surpassing 70% of last year’s total.
Many have turned to delivery work as a stopgap after layoffs or as a secondary source of income to keep up with living costs.
Delivery platforms remain appealing because they require minimal qualifications and allow workers to start earning immediately.
Although earnings vary by region and platform, industry estimates place the average monthly income for riders at about $2,730.
