Uber’s economic impact in India in 2021 was INR 44,600 crores: Report

Uber’s 2021 India Economic Impact Report, compiled by Public First, highlights how Uber has helped transform the on-demand economy for riders, drivers, and the wider community by generating INR 44,600 crore in value for India’s economy in 2021.

The report takes a deeper look into the factors behind this economic contribution and the enhancement of safety and sustainability of the industry. 

Key findings of the report include:

Uber’s contribution to the Indian economy

• Uber created an estimated INR 44,600 crore in economic value for the Indian economy
• Uber produced INR 1.5 trillion in consumer surplus in 2021, which is equivalent to 0.8% of GDP

Impact on riders and drivers, and communities

• 96% of riders say that convenience is an important reason they use Uber. In a normal year, we estimate that Uber saves riders over 16.8 crore hours a year. In fact, as per Indian riders, ridesharing is the most significant transport innovation they have experienced in the last decade
• In total, in 2021, we estimate that driver-partners earn an additional ₹1700 crore a year in higher income through Uber, or an average of 49% more than their next best alternative type of work

Safety & Improving Access

• 97% of female riders say that safety is an important factor in their choice to use Uber, and 76% of female riders agree that it is now easier to get home late at night
• 84% of riders without access to a car said the availability of ridesharing services like Uber was important to their choice of not owning a vehicle
• In total, we estimate that 1 in 4 Uber trips connect with public transport

Commenting on the report, Prabhjeet Singh, President, Uber India and South Asia, said: “We are pleased to see that our journey over the past nine years in India has made a significant contribution to our economy. During a challenging time in India in 2021 which was marked by a brutal second Covid wave, Uber unlocked an estimated ₹446 billion in economic value for the Indian economy. We are proud of the contribution we have made and remain committed to bringing meaningful change through every ride on the Uber platform.”

You can read the full report, including the methodology here. 

* One of the most important measures of economic welfare – the amount you would pay someone to voluntarily give up a good or service. If a good has a zero consumer surplus, that implies we can take or leave it – whereas goods with a high consumer surplus are playing an important role in our lives.