Tier-One Cities Dominate Gig Economy Amidst Growing Opportunities

A recent report by WorkIndia highlighted that tier-one cities dominate 67.1% of short-term blue-collar job openings, with Delhi and Mumbai leading the way. The gig economy in tier-two cities shows balanced growth, while tier-three cities face significant competition. Back-office roles and digital marketing are among the most in-demand positions.

As the gig economy continues to rise, tier-one cities lead in short-term blue-collar employment opportunities, accounting for 67.1% of openings from June 2023 to June 2024, a report revealed Saturday. These urban hubs, which offer a plethora of gig opportunities, saw 63.11% of job applications originate from them, according to a report by WorkIndia, a tech-enabled blue-collar workforce recruitment platform.

Tier-II cities accounted for 26% of job openings and 25% of applications, indicating a balanced growth potential, the report noted. Meanwhile, tier-III cities presented a lower proportion of job openings (6.7%) compared to 11% applications, pointing to heightened competition amidst an oversupply of gig workers, the report added. WorkIndia's annual index represents the state of blue-collar workers in India's job market and hiring activity, based on job listings from June 2023 to June 2024.

Delhi emerged as the top hub for gig workers, with 17.7% of job openings and 22.9% of applications, reflecting robust demand across sectors. Mumbai followed with 16.57% of job openings and 15.8% of applications. Bengaluru and Pune are also fast-emerging gig economies with potential growth. Back-office roles dominated the gig economy, comprising 34.5% of openings, followed by delivery executives (19.3%) and cooks (16.3%). The rise in online marketing roles (5.27%) indicates a growing demand for digital skills in the gig workforce. Most gig workers (60.56%) are aged 18-29 years, while 30-49-year-old workers make up 20.97% of the workforce, the report said. Sector-wise, back-office roles, delivery services, and culinary positions have the highest demand, with digital marketing roles on the rise.

"As the gig economy continues to expand, understanding these trends becomes increasingly crucial for stakeholders aiming to optimise their workforce strategies and capitalise on evolving market dynamics," said WorkIndia Co-Founder and CEO Nilesh Dungarwal.

(With inputs from agencies.)