India’s gig workforce could rise to 1.7–2.1 crore monthly active workers by 2030, up from nearly 60 lakh today.
The sector may help bridge around 70% of India’s annual non-farm job creation gap.
Highlights
- India’s gig workforce may nearly triple to 1.7–2.1 crore workers by 2030.
- The sector is growing at a compound annual rate of 24–29%.
- Gig platforms could meet nearly 70% of India’s non-farm job requirement.
- Full-time gig workers earn up to 2.5 times more than comparable workers.
- Average gig earnings stood at Rs 138 per hour, compared with Rs 54 in similar jobs.
- More than 30% of future gig workers could be first-time entrants to the workforce.
India’s gig economy is expected to become one of the country’s biggest sources of employment over the next few years. The number of monthly active gig workers could nearly triple to between 1.7 crore and 2.1 crore by 2030, compared with around 60 lakh at present, according to a report by Redseer Strategy Consultants.
The report, titled Gig Internet Workforce in India: Bridge to Nearly 20 Million Livelihoods, said the workforce associated with delivery services, ride-hailing platforms and home-service companies is growing at an annual rate of 24% to 29%.
This rapid expansion could help address nearly 70% of India’s annual non-farm job creation requirement, estimated at around 80 lakh jobs by 2030. More than 30% of the projected gig workers are expected to be people entering the workforce for the first time.
The report also found that income earned through gig platforms is significantly higher than earnings in comparable formal and informal jobs. Full-time gig workers can earn up to 2.5 times more per month than people working in similar traditional roles.
Average earnings for gig workers stood at around Rs 138 per hour, compared with Rs 54 per hour for workers in comparable formal and informal occupations.
However, earnings differ sharply across sectors. Workers providing home services earn around Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 per month, while ride-hailing drivers make between Rs 37,000 and Rs 39,000. Delivery workers earn approximately Rs 22,000 to Rs 23,000 per month.
The findings were based on a survey of 2,250 gig workers. Around 54% of respondents were not engaged in paid work before joining a gig platform, showing that these platforms are creating opportunities for unemployed people and first-time workers.
Nearly 70% of surveyed workers said gig work had improved their future job prospects. They also gained practical skills such as customer management, navigation and financial planning.
Ride-hailing is expected to remain the largest gig segment, with around 1.2 crore to 1.4 crore workers by 2030. Delivery services could employ 50 lakh to 70 lakh people, while home services are also expected to create more livelihood opportunities.
The report noted that welfare benefits available to gig workers are broadly comparable to those received by salaried employees. However, awareness about such benefits continues to remain limited.
