Economic Survey: 40% of gig workers earn under Rs 15,000 monthly

It matters to citizens as it outlines the government's assessment of economic growth, inflation, employment trends, and policy priorities for the coming years.

Who it concerns: The document concerns the Ministry of Finance (specifically the Economic Survey) and the general public, including households, businesses, farmers, gig workers, and state governments, as it details macroeconomic indicators, fiscal policies, and sector-specific challenges affecting their livelihoods and investments.

What the committee found

• GDP growth is projected at 6.8% to 7.2% for 2026-27, with 2025-26 estimated at 7.4%, driven largely by domestic demand and private final consumption expenditure.
• Retail inflation declined to 1.7% in 2025-26 (April-December) from 4.6% in 2024-25, primarily due to lower food prices, though challenges remain from base metal prices and currency depreciation.
• The central government aims to keep the fiscal deficit below 4.5% of GDP in 2025-26 and has shifted from annual fiscal deficit targets to a debt-to-GDP ratio target until 2031 under the FRBM law.
• Agriculture sector growth is constrained by fragmented landholdings, inadequate infrastructure, and climate change; priorities include improving productivity, R&D, and climate resilience.
• Industrial growth requires a shift from import substitution to scale and global value chain integration; national R&D expenditure is noted as insufficient at 0.64% of GDP, with a recommendation to increase private investment in R&D.
• Employment indicators show an unemployment rate of 3.2% in 2023-24, but the Survey emphasizes the need for quality jobs and industry-driven skilling to harness demographic advantage.
• AI adoption presents a tension between productivity gains and employment in a labor-abundant economy; the Survey recommends prioritizing application-led innovation, open systems, and sector-specific models over replicating frontier-scale model development.
• Climate change adaptation is hindered by inadequate domestic resources and climate finance constraints, particularly in areas like urban infrastructure and MSMEs.
• Urbanization challenges stem from supply-side constraints in land, housing, and mobility, as well as fragmented municipal governance and limited fiscal autonomy for cities.

Also in the document

• FDI inflows in 2025 were USD 81 billion, 13% higher than the previous year, but the Survey noted these remain below their potential despite favorable macroeconomic fundamentals.
• Only 11 states recorded a revenue surplus in 2024-25, and the aggregate fiscal deficit of states rose to 3.2% of GDP.
• About 40% of gig workers earn less than Rs 15,000 per month, with gig work projected to increase from 2% to 6.7% of the total workforce by 2029-30.
• National expenditure on R&D is 0.64% of GDP, which the Survey described as insufficient and lower than many countries, with the business sector contributing only 41% compared to 77% in China.