Bolt report reveals complex picture of above and below average local wage earnings for ride-hail drivers across Europe
The latest Ride-Hailing Economy report from Bolt, released in December 2024, sheds light on how driver earnings compare to minimum wages across European cities. The findings reveal complex disparities influenced by local economic conditions, utilisation rates, and market dynamics.
In Eastern Europe, where minimum wages are comparatively low, ride-hailing offers a substantial income boost. For example, drivers in Kyiv earn up to 314% above the national minimum wage, which stood at just €185 per month as of July 2024. Similarly, Bucharest drivers also enjoy earnings that exceed local average incomes.
However, the picture is less rosy in more affluent cities such as London and Paris. Here, drivers typically earn less than the average local wage, largely because these cities offer a wealth of well-paid opportunities in sectors such as technology and finance. High living costs and elevated average wages make it challenging for ride-hailing income to keep pace.
Driver earnings are also shaped by utilisation rates—the proportion of time spent actively transporting passengers. Bolt reports a utilisation rate of 56% in Paris, suggesting that many drivers rely on multiple platforms to maximise their working hours.
Bolt’s data shows that when utilisation rates increase to 75%—by combining work across different platforms—driver earnings in cities like Paris can rise to 140% of the minimum wage, as fixed costs are spread over more trips.
The findings suggest that strategic adjustments, such as optimising pricing to boost demand, could help increase driver incomes in these high-cost cities. Higher utilisation rates and improved efficiencies may hold the key to making ride-hailing a more lucrative option in the more competitive urban markets.
