Economic Survey: Gig workers face constant income insecurity, isolation and burnout

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. The Economic Survey 2026, released on Thursday, flagged rising vulnerabilities among migrant and gig workers as risks to labour productivity. It noted that many migrants who move to urban hubs face loneliness and social isolation despite financial gains.

This negatively affects their mental well-being and productivity at work, and can lead to early attrition, increasing costs for employers, it said. The comments come at a time when India’s platform workforce is expanding rapidly and employers are struggling to mobilise workers across states. A 26-year-old food delivery worker from Patna, who did not wish to be named, said the pressure of customer ratings and long stints away from home had taken a heavy emotional toll on him.

Having moved to Delhi five months ago for work after a stint in Gujarat, he said loneliness has become his constant companion. “I feel anxious because of customer pressure and I miss home very much. I haven’t gone back home for over a year," he said, adding that he supports his sisters and is often left with little or nothing for himself after essential expenses.

He pays ₹2,000 a week to rent his electric bike and said the lack of alternative skills makes it hard for him to change professions. “After spending on everything, there is nothing left in my hands," he said. His story mirrors the lives of many of India’s more than 12 million gig workers who struggle to make ends meet in metro cities.

Neeti Sharma, chief executive of TeamLease Digital, said, "The migrant worker now prefers to stay closer to home. For someone from Maharashtra, cities such as Mysore or Nasik offer better work opportunities than Mumbai, even if the pay is ₹6,000-10,000 less. Workers in metros