1 week ago
India’s Gig Economy Growth Leaves Women Behind, Study Finds
India’s app-based economy is growing, with jobs in delivery, driving and home services.
However, far fewer women than men are joining these jobs.
A new study says women face limited digital skills, difficulty traveling, safety concerns and social expectations.
Many women also lack access to mobile phones and online banking skills.
India’s gig workforce could grow to 23.5 million workers by 2029-30.
Bringing more women into these jobs could help the economy grow.
Records of gig earnings could show banks that women have income.
This may help women qualify for loans, insurance, savings and pensions.
Women remain underrepresented in India’s app-based gig jobs, including food delivery, ride-hailing and home services.
An International Labour Organization–National Council of Applied Economic Research study identifies digital-skill gaps, mobility limits, safety concerns and social norms as barriers.
India’s female labor-force participation rate was about 32% in 2025, compared with almost 78% for men, according to International Labour Organization estimates.
India’s gig workforce is projected to nearly double to 23.5 million by 2029-30 and contribute 2.35 trillion rupees annually to economic output.
Digital earnings records from gig work could help women obtain loans, insurance, savings and pensions without traditional collateral.
- Who
- Women workers, the International Labour Organization, the National Council of Applied Economic Research and Indian gig-economy companies are central to the study.
- What
- A study found that women are underrepresented and unevenly distributed across India’s growing app-based gig economy.
- Where
- India.
- When
- The report was released Monday; its labor-force estimate covers 2025, and its gig-work projection covers 2029-30.
- Why
- Digital-skill gaps, mobility constraints, safety concerns and social norms limit women’s participation, despite the potential economic and financial benefits of gig work.
Key facts
- Female labor-force participation
- About 32% in India in 2025, compared with almost 78% for men.
- Projected gig workforce
- 23.5 million workers by 2029-30, nearly double the current level according to a government estimate.
- Projected economic contribution
- 2.35 trillion rupees ($24.5 billion) annually by 2029-30.
- Women owning mobile phones
- 56.2% of Indian women aged 15 and above, according to a 2025 government study.
- Women able to conduct online banking
- 37% of Indian women aged 15 and above.
- Digital banking account gap
- In 2024, 32% of men in India had a digital banking account, compared with 14% of women.
- Potential growth impact
- The World Bank estimates that raising women’s participation to 50% could add about one percentage point to India’s annual economic growth.
Quotes
The researchers
Researchers from the International Labour Organization and National Council of Applied Economic Research
“Evidence suggests that women remain under-represented and unevenly distributed across the app-based ecosystem”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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