The Gig Economy Revolution: Evaluating Income Streams and Economic Contributions in Malaysia
Abstract
There has been scant research about the gig economy revolution in Malaysia. Evaluating the exponential growth of the Malaysian gig economy is difficult as there is a lack of dependable data on digital platform revenues. This study fills this gap by examining administrative data from the principal agency propelling Malaysia's digital economy. Between 2016 and 2021, the proliferation of gig workers and digital platforms markedly increased, offering stable incomes and augmenting Malaysia's economic revenue. Significantly, earnings from digital gig employment have surpassed conventional physical gig employment. The growth of local digital platforms during the pandemic of COVID-19 is driven by an increased demand for online services. Regulatory oversight is crucial for safeguarding gig workers and ensuring fair income distribution within this sector.
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