Digital Platform Work Rising Rapidly in Latin America and the Caribbean, ILO Report Finds

 LIMA (ILO News) – Digital platform work is experiencing rapid growth across Latin America and the Caribbean, reshaping employment landscapes and opening new opportunities — but also exposing workers to important social and economic challenges. These are among the key findings of a new report released by the International Labour Organization (ILO) Regional Office, based on a regional survey of over 1,000 workers across 21 countries.

The report, Survey on workers in web-based digital platforms: New data for the Latin America and the Caribbean region, presents an in-depth look at the demographics, working conditions, income levels, and motivations of those engaged in web-based platform work — tasks performed entirely online, connecting workers to global clients.

Web-based digital platforms include freelance marketplaces and microtasking sites, where individuals offer services ranging from software development and graphic design to data labeling and AI training. Unlike transport or delivery apps, this type of work can be done from anywhere with an internet connection, and clients are often located overseas.

Among the study’s key findings:

• 93% of platform workers live in urban areas, underscoring the city-centric nature of this employment.

• The workforce is predominantly young and educated, with a median age of 33 and over half holding a university degree.

• 8% identify as migrants, with nearly half of them from Venezuela.

• More than 53% work for clients outside their own country, mainly in the United States and Canada.

• The median hourly wage is just USD 2.57, with wide income variability.

While workers cite flexibility and income supplementation as key benefits, the report highlights troubling gaps in social protection. Approximately 40% of workers lack access to health insurance and social security benefits.

“This report is a fundamental tool to strengthen social dialogue and enrich discussions on how to promote decent work in a rapidly evolving digital environment,” said ILO Regional Director Vinícius Pinheiro.

The findings come at a pivotal time, with digital platform work set to be a key topic at the International Labour Conference in June 2025. Governments, employers, and workers will engage in tripartite discussions to address regulatory and policy challenges tied to this growing form of employment.

As one of the most comprehensive studies in the region, the ILO hopes the report will provide a strong foundation for evidence-based policymaking in the digital economy.

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