India’s creator economy set to drive over $1 trillion in consumer spending by 2030: Report

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• As per Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report, India’s rapidly expanding creator economy is projected to influence over one trillion dollars in annual consumer spending by 2030.

Key Highlights

• India currently has around 2 to 2.5 million monetised digital creators who influence more than 30% of consumer purchase decisions. 
• At present, creator-led influence already shapes an estimated 350 to 400 billion dollars in annual consumer spending, a figure expected to grow sharply over the next five years.
  • Creator-influenced spending is estimated to reach $1Tn+ by 2030, unlocking $100Bn+ in ecosystem revenues.
• Creator-led commerce has become central to how Indian consumers discover, assess and buy products. 
  • This shift spans categories ranging from fashion and beauty to electronics and daily-use essentials.
  • The trend highlights a move away from traditional top-down advertising towards trust-based, community-driven product discovery.
• As per the report, the companies that embed creators and digital commerce platforms into their core marketing, sales and pricing strategies will be best placed to tap into India’s next phase of digital-led growth. 

Creators Economy

• The creator economy refers to the ecosystem where individuals (content creators) use digital platforms to create, distribute, and monetise content, skills, or influence directly to audiences often without traditional intermediaries.
• Key Components of a Creators Economy: 
  • Creators: YouTubers, podcasters, bloggers, influencers, educators, gamers, artists.
  • Platforms: YouTube, Instagram, X etc.
  • Monetisation Tools: Ads, brand sponsorships, subscriptions, tips, NFTs, merchandise.
  • Audiences/Communities: Followers, subscribers, niche communities.
  • Enablers: Payment gateways, analytics tools, AI tools, creator management agencies.

Significance of the Creators Economy

• Employment Generation & Self-Employment: Creates large-scale self-employment opportunities, especially for youth, women, and gig workers, reducing dependence on traditional jobs.
• Democratisation of Entrepreneurship: Low entry barriers allow individuals with skills or creativity—not capital—to become micro-entrepreneurs and earn directly from audiences.
• Boost to Digital Economy: Drives growth in allied sectors such as fintech, digital payments, cloud services, AI tools, marketing, and e-commerce.
• Cultural Representation & Soft Power: Promotes regional languages, local art forms, and indigenous knowledge, strengthening India’s cultural diplomacy globally.
• Inclusive Growth: Enables participation from Tier-2, Tier-3 cities and rural areas, helping bridge regional and gender income gaps.

Source: LM