India’s Gig Workforce to Reach 62 Million by 2047

In June 2025, a study by the labour ministry-affiliated VV Giri National Labour Institute (VVGNLI) projected that India’s gig and platform workforce could grow to nearly 62 million by 2047, making up 15% of the country’s non-agricultural workforce.

Key Points

Forecast Model: Using data from a 2022 NITI Aayog report and an Exponential Smoothing ETS model, the study projects a doubling of the gig workforce over the next 17 years.
Sectoral Growth: Gig work, once limited to ride-sharing and food delivery, is expanding into healthcare, education, consulting, and creative sectors.
Growth Scenarios: Depending on tech, policy, and economic shifts, the workforce may grow to 32.5 million (low estimate) or 90.8 million (aspirational scenario).
Legal Recognition: The report urges clear classification between employees and independent contractors, enabling access to labour protections and social security.
Worker Rights: Emphasises collective bargaining rights, fair working hours, algorithmic transparency, and grievance redressal mechanisms.
National Registry Proposal: Recommends a statutory national registry managed by central and state governments to ensure social security access for all platform workers.