Economic Survey 2026: E-commerce fuels India’s gig boom, workforce hits 1.2 crore

The landscape of employment in India is undergoing a significant transformation, driven largely by the rise of e-commerce. According to the recently released Economic Survey for 2025-26, e-commerce has solidified its position as the largest employer in the rapidly growing gig economy. The Survey reveals a staggering 55% increase in India's gig workforce, which has expanded from 7.7 million in FY21 to an impressive 12 million by FY25. This surge now represents over 2% of the country's overall workforce. Projections indicate that non-agricultural gig roles could reach as much as 6.7% of the workforce by FY30, contributing a remarkable ₹2.35 lakh crore to the nation's GDP. The growth is predominantly fueled by e-commerce and related delivery services, followed closely by sectors such as logistics, banking, finance, insurance (BFSI), manufacturing, and retail. This transformation is closely linked to the widespread adoption of smartphones, with more than 800 million users in India, as well as the expansion of the digital payments ecosystem. The platforms are capitalizing on approximately 15 billion UPI transactions each month, enabling quick settlements and real-time job assignments. However, the Survey does not shy away from highlighting the challenges that accompany this growth. It points out that nearly 40% of gig workers earn less than ₹15,000 monthly, facing income instability, limited access to traditional credit, and issues with financial documentation. Additionally, the reliance on algorithm-driven work distribution and performance assessment raises concerns about worker burnout and the lack of transparency in wage determination. To harness the potential of this e-commerce-driven gig expansion for job creation, the Survey advocates for a balanced approach that includes enhanced skill development, improved access to credit, and robust social security measures.