Who Are the Women in Kerala’s Gig Economy? A Socioeconomic and Income-based Analysis Using Logistic Regression

Abstract

The rapid growth of platform-based employment has significantly transformed labour markets in India, with Kerala offering a distinctive context marked by high social development alongside persistent unemployment challenges. This study investigates the socioeconomic characteristics and income determinants of 300 women participating in Kerala’s gig economy, using primary data collected through snowball sampling. The sample was drawn from three districts, namely Kannur, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram, representing the northern, central, and southern regions of the state. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression were employed to examine demographic attributes, educational levels, work patterns, and earnings, and to identify the factors influencing higher income levels. The regression model yields a log-likelihood value of −200.48 and a pseudo R² of 0.0344, indicating modest explanatory power. The findings suggest that conventional social identity indicators, such as caste and religion, do not have statistically significant effects on income vulnerability within the estimated model. Instead, income disparities are more closely associated with household composition and spatial location. Women from larger households and those residing in rural areas demonstrate a higher likelihood of experiencing income insecurity. While gig employment expands income-generating opportunities and facilitates women’s labour force participation, earnings remain uneven and precarious. Overall, the study reveals that gig work provides avenues for economic engagement while simultaneously exposing women to structural vulnerabilities and income instability. The findings underscore the importance of inclusive policy measures, strengthened social protection frameworks, and targeted skill development initiatives to enhance income security among women gig workers in Kerala.