When most people think about ASEAN’s gig economy, they think of ride-hailing drivers or food delivery riders. That is part of the picture, but not the full story. Across Southeast Asia, gig work has become a structural part of the economy, supporting millions of workers and helping cities function more efficiently. In many markets, informal or platform-based work is not just a side hustle, but a main source of income. With the share of informal employment being one of the highest in Asia-Pacific1, the gig economy is no longer an investment story about which platform wins. It is a broader long-term theme tied to urbanisation, improving digital infrastructure, and the gradual formalisation of these platforms in the region. In this article, we look at what is driving ASEAN’s gig economy, how the landscape is evolving, and where investors can gain exposure to this theme.
