India, 18th July: India’s platform-enabled gig economy is poised to become one of the country’s most significant sources of livelihood creation over the coming decade. According to Redseer Strategy Consultants’ latest report, “Gig Internet Workforce in India: Bridge to ~20 Million Livelihoods,” the country’s monthly active gig internet workforce is expected to expand from over 6 million today to 17-21 million by 2030, making it a critical pillar of India’s non-farm workforce.
The report finds that gig internet platforms across delivery, ride hailing, and home services have evolved beyond being a source of flexible work. They now serve as an accessible entry point into the workforce, a supplementary income stream for employed individuals, and a stepping stone for workers pursuing education, entrepreneurship, or career transitions.
“The significance of India’s gig internet workforce lies in the choices it creates. It gives people a practical way to enter the workforce, augment household income, navigate periods of transition, or work towards longer-term ambitions without being constrained by traditional employment structures. That flexibility has made platform work relevant to a far wider cross-section of the workforce than is often recognised. Looking ahead, continued collaboration between platforms and policymakers will be essential to strengthen welfare access, improve financial protection, and widen participation so that the next phase of growth is both larger and more inclusive; bridging the unemployment gap,” said Kushal Bhatnagar, Partner, Redseer Strategy Consultants.
The report also highlights that 54 percent of surveyed gig workers were not in paid employment before taking up platform work, underscoring the sector’s role in expanding workforce participation by lowering barriers to entry through flexible work schedules, digital onboarding, and faster access to income.
Beyond livelihood creation, the study finds that gig work is enabling workers to improve their earning potential. Across delivery, ride hailing, and home services, full-time gig workers earn, on average, up to 2.5 times the monthly net income of comparable formal and informal occupations. Nearly 70 percent of surveyed workers also believe their platform experience has strengthened their future earning prospects through transferable skills, verifiable work experience, and greater exposure to employment opportunities.
The report also notes that welfare support within the gig ecosystem has become progressively more structured. Platform-led initiatives such as accident insurance, emergency assistance, and skill development are more widespread, while the implementation of the Code on Social Security marks an important step towards formal recognition and portable social protection for gig workers. At the same time, the study identifies considerable scope to improve awareness and access to existing welfare schemes, particularly government-led initiatives.
The study further highlights a significant opportunity to broaden participation within the sector. While overall female representation remains limited, home services have already demonstrated substantially higher participation by women, suggesting that targeted interventions around digital literacy, safety, flexibility, and access could help make the gig economy more inclusive.
Key findings from the report
· India’s monthly active gig internet workforce is expected to grow from over 6 million today to 17-21 million by 2030
· 54 percent of surveyed workers were not in paid employment before joining gig platforms
· More than 30 percent of projected gig workers by 2030 are expected to be first-time entrants to the workforce
· Full-time gig workers earn up to 2.5 times higher monthly net income than comparable formal and informal occupations
· Nearly 70 percent of surveyed workers believe gig platform experience improves their future earning opportunities
· Over 90 percent of monthly active gig workers choose part-time participation, highlighting the sector’s flexibility
· Welfare coverage across gig platforms is becoming comparable with formal employment, although awareness and uptake of available benefits remain areas for improvement
· Expanding women’s participation represents one of the largest opportunities for the next phase of growth