Home-sharing platform, Airbnb, has enabled over a million women worldwide to earn over US$10 billion (RM44.5 billion) since its inception in 2008.

In a statement today, Airbnb said, in 2016, over 200,000 female hosts worldwide earned at least US$5,000 (RM22,240) each through hosting on the home-sharing platform.

"In Malaysia, the number of women hosts on Airbnb grew by 35 times since 2012, and the typical female host in Malaysia earns approximately US$1,536 (RM6,031) per year," it said.

Airbnb said many had used the extra income generated from the platform for vital assistance, whether to help pay bills, pursue passions or support entrepreneurship endeavours.

Besides, it estimated that over 50,000 women worldwide had used the supplemental income generated to support entrepreneurship activities, be it launching a business or adding to the pool of investment capital for a new business they’re starting.

"Women hosts also use their additional income to support home ownership, especially single mothers," it said.

It revealed that the extra income generated from Airbnb had provided retirement aid for senior hosts (60 year-old and above), although they earned just under US$6,000 (RM26,688) yearly through the platform.

- Bernama