India’s gig workforce could reach 21 million by 2030: Redseer

India’s platform-based gig workforce could more than triple by 2030, becoming a major source of livelihood creation, according to a new report by Redseer Strategy Consultants.

The report, Gig Internet Workforce in India: Bridge to ~20 Million Livelihoods, estimates that the monthly active gig workforce will grow from more than 6 million today to 17 million to 21 million by 2030.

Gig work opens workforce access

The report finds that gig platforms are increasingly becoming an entry point into employment.

Delivery, ride-hailing and home services platforms are helping people enter the workforce, supplement household income and manage career transitions.

More than half of surveyed workers, or 54%, were not in paid employment before joining a platform.

More than 30% of the projected gig workforce by 2030 is also expected to comprise first-time workers.

“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,” said Kushal Bhatnagar, Partner, Redseer Strategy Consultants.

He added, “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,” 

Gig workers report higher earning potential

The report also highlights the earning potential of platform work.

Full-time gig workers earn up to 2.5 times the monthly net income of comparable formal and informal workers across delivery, ride-hailing and home services.

Nearly 70% of surveyed workers said their platform experience had improved their future earning prospects.

Workers cited transferable skills, verifiable experience and greater exposure to employment opportunities as key benefits.

Flexibility remains a key draw

Part-time participation remains widespread.

More than 90% of monthly active gig workers choose to work part-time, highlighting the flexibility offered by platform-based employment.

The report says this flexibility is helping workers balance employment with education, entrepreneurship and other career goals.

Welfare coverage expands

Social protection within the gig economy is also becoming more structured.

Platform initiatives such as accident insurance, emergency assistance and skills training are becoming more common.

The implementation of the Code on Social Security has also created a framework for greater recognition and portable social protection for gig workers.

However, awareness and uptake of available government welfare schemes remain challenges.

Women remain an untapped workforce

Female participation remains relatively low across the gig economy.

Home services, however, have recorded stronger participation by women. The report identifies this segment as evidence of the potential for broader inclusion.

Greater digital literacy, safety measures, flexible working options and better access could help bring more women into platform work.

With the gig workforce potentially reaching 21 million by 2030, the report suggests that platform work could become an increasingly important part of India’s non-farm employment landscape.