PH gig economy surges: 9.9 million workers seek flexibility, security

Insider Spotlight

• 9.9 million Filipinos now engaged in gig work—22 percent of workforce
• 61 percent of gig workers do it part-time to supplement income
• 78 percent satisfied with flexibility, but demand social benefits
• Study urges fair pay, social protection, and upskilling
  
  

The gig economy in the Philippines is booming, with nearly 10 million Filipinos—about 22 percent of the country’s employed population—now participating in gig work, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. This surge is reshaping the labor landscape, as more workers seek flexibility and supplemental income.

By the numbers

• 9.9 million Filipinos are gig workers, both online and offline
• 61 percent work part-time gigs to boost earnings from full-time jobs or businesses
• 47 percent value the ability to choose their working hours
• 35 percent appreciate the freedom to work from different locations

Driving the news

A recent Ipsos study surveyed 1,500 Filipino gig workers to understand their motivations and needs. The findings highlight that financial necessity and flexibility are top reasons for choosing gig work.

A majority of respondents surveyed representing 61 percent, engage in gig work part-time to supplant their income from full-time jobs or business ventures.

The study noted: “Gig workers choose this line of work for various reasons, often driven by financial need and flexibility. It noted that with 47 percent highlighting the ability to choose their working hours, and 35 percent appreciating the freedom to work from different locations.”

Between the lines

While 78 percent of gig workers are satisfied with the flexibility and income potential, most also want access to retirement plans, healthcare, and fair pay.

“They also want the flexibility to choose or opt-in to the type of social benefits that matches their needs – like choosing their own healthcare plan or being the ones to determine how much to save for their retirement,” the study noted.

What’s next

The Ipsos study outlined four strategies for stakeholders:

• Ensure fair and transparent earnings for gig workers.
• Provide flexible, app-based access to social protections (SSS, Pag-IBIG, healthcare, retirement plans).
• Offer opportunities for skill enhancement and career advancement.
• Invest in data infrastructure for better policy design.

The bottom line

Gig work is empowering millions of Filipinos with freedom and income diversity. But as the study warned: “Freedom without safety nets risks instability.”

With the right policies, the gig economy could become a sustainable pillar of the country’s future workforce. —Daxim L. Lucas | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma