A. M. The platform-based digital economy continues to expand in Latin America and the Caribbean, driving new labor and economic dynamics in the region. This is confirmed by a recent report from the International Labor Organization (ILO), which shows sustained growth in work through web-based digital platforms, with direct implications for employability, income, and the regional productive structure.
The study, entitled Survey of workers on web-based digital platforms, analyzed the experiences of more than 1,000 people in 21 countries, highlighting that more than 50% work for international contractors, primarily in the United States and Canada. This data underscores the cross-border nature of the phenomenon and its potential to generate foreign currency and expand access to global markets from emerging economies.
The workforce identified on these platforms is predominantly young, urban, and highly skilled: the median age is 33 years, and more than 50% have a university degree. These characteristics reveal a strategic opportunity for Latin America and the Caribbean to leverage their human capital in the global digital ecosystem, especially in areas such as programming, graphic design, and artificial intelligence training.
Despite the economic potential, the report highlights significant structural challenges. The median hourly income is just US$2.57, and although the average is US$5.48, variability is high and significant gaps persist. Furthermore, 52% of respondents do not depend exclusively on this activity to support themselves financially, highlighting the precariousness in which a large part of this labor segment still operates.
One of the most pressing challenges is the limited social protection coverage. Nearly 40% of workers lack access to healthcare or social security, a reality that demands urgent public policy responses. The flexibility offered by this type of employment is attractive to many, but it must be accompanied by minimum conditions that guarantee decent work.
This report comes at a key moment, as the ILO will address regulatory frameworks for digital work at its International Labour Conference in june 2025. The publication will serve as a crucial input for governments, employers, and workers in the region to participate in an informed manner in the discussion on the future of employment in the digital economy.
