As the school year ends, gig-work apps are pulling in more Gen Z workers. Apptopia data through May 17 shows Gen Z registrations rising 8.4% in 2026 versus the same period in 2025, with GoPuff and Lyft seeing the biggest year-over-year jumps in young signups m
For many Gen Z students, summer used to mean a simple plan: flip burgers, stock shelves, or land something more structured. This year, more are opening apps instead—apps built for deliveries and rides—tapping into work that starts fast and doesn’t wait for employers to decide.
Gig workers aged 17 to 25 are the fastest-growing age group on gig-work apps so far in the second quarter of 2026, according to data through May 17 from mobile app researcher Apptopia. Gen Z registrations grew 8.4% over the same period in 2025.
The timing matters. The rise in young people signing up for gig work apps is arriving as the school year ends for many students and summer break begins.
Apptopia’s numbers also show how quickly the momentum is building. In May 2025, the number of active users aged 17 to 25 rose by 12% over the same period a year earlier. So far this month, the boost is 24%, Apptopia said.
Apptopia added that daily active Gen Z users on gig apps have spiked in recent years. A spokesperson pointed to the tradeoff young workers see: gig work is “flexible, easy to get, and higher paying jobs are harder to get.”
That explanation lands in a job market where Gen Z is dealing with uncertainty about internships and full-time prospects. The data and the timing collide with a shift in hiring plans: entry-level roles are being scaled back as some companies invest in AI. For some young workers, the gig apps have become the fallback—and the substitute for waiting.
You can see the shift on social media too. On TikTok, some young workers post videos of themselves making deliveries for apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats, using hashtags like #summerjob.
Among delivery apps, GoPuff stands out in Apptopia’s tracking. The company had the largest increase in young gig worker signups midway through the second quarter, with a 97.5% year-over-year surge. Lyft’s driver app followed with 70.3% growth among this demographic. Most gig-work apps require workers to be at least 18.
The summer spike isn’t limited to Gen Z. Apptopia’s data also showed smaller second-quarter usage spikes among gig workers aged 36 to 45 and those aged 46 and older. Users between 26 and 35 fell slightly during the period.
Apptopia’s study tracked US users’ age and habits on six delivery and ride-hailing apps. The company drew data from app stores and its panel of about 15 million users across a variety of apps.
Backed by that kind of measurement, the picture is straightforward: when school lets out and entry routes get tighter, Gen Z is steering toward on-demand work—one swipe at a time.
Gen Z gig economy gig apps summer jobs Uber DoorDash GoPuff Lyft Apptopia delivery workers ride-hailing youth employment AI hiring
So basically Gen Z can’t find jobs unless it’s apps? Cool.
I don’t get how Lyft is up 70% or whatever but Uber is always “no drivers” in my area. Like maybe they’re just signing up not working? Either way sounds stressful.
This part about companies scaling back entry level because of AI… I mean AI is the reason my cousin couldn’t get an internship, right? So now they’re doing deliveries instead. Seems kinda sad that the “flexible” jobs are the only option.
97.5% for GoPuff is insane, but it says 18+ apps like… so how are 17 year olds even counted? Also TikTok makes it look fun like they’re just cruising around, not doing 12 hours in the heat. I guess summer really turned into working for your phone.