India’s creator economy is on an explosive growth trajectory and is projected to drive more than USD 1 trillion in consumer spending annually by 2030, according to a new report by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

Titled ‘From Content to Commerce: Mapping India’s Creator Economy,’ the report is set to be officially unveiled at the ongoing WAVES 2025 mega-event being held in Mumbai on May 3, 2025.

The ANI report, citing data from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, highlights that India currently has an estimated 2 to 2.5 million active digital creators—defined as individuals with more than 1,000 followers. Despite this massive base, only 8 to 10 per cent of them are monetising their content effectively as of now. The report underlines the vast untapped potential of the creator economy and foresees a dramatic expansion in the next five years.

Currently, the direct revenues generated by the Indian creator ecosystem are estimated between USD 20 billion and USD 25 billion. However, the BCG report forecasts this figure to soar to USD 100-125 billion by 2030, thanks to a rapidly evolving content landscape and increasing digital penetration across India. One of the most striking insights is that creators are already influencing more than 30 per cent of all consumer decisions, which translates to USD 350-400 billion in current annual consumer expenditure.

Interestingly, the creator economy is no longer limited to just Gen Z or the urban elite. The ANI report points out that digital creators are now engaging a much wider demographic, including older age groups and consumers from Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns. This shift is also transforming the kind of content being consumed. While short-form video continues to dominate, genres such as comedy, film, daily soaps, and fashion are seeing significant traction.

The report further suggests that the revenue models for creators are diversifying at a rapid pace, with monetisation expected to grow by 1.5 to 3 times in the coming years. This signals a broader, long-term transformation in how marketing, branding, and commerce are being shaped by influencers and content creators in the digital ecosystem.

The launch of the BCG report comes at a significant time during WAVES 2025, India’s first-of-its-kind global summit dedicated to the audio-visual and entertainment sectors. The four-day event, which began on May 1 and runs through May 4, has brought together more than 10,000 delegates, including 1,000 creators, 300 companies, and 350 startups. Covering everything from film and OTT to AVGC-XR, artificial intelligence, and broadcasting, WAVES 2025 serves as a comprehensive platform to spotlight India’s creative economy and the technologies driving it forward.

With a vibrant mix of innovation, digital engagement, and emerging talent, India’s creator economy is no longer a fringe trend—it is fast becoming a central pillar of the country’s consumer and cultural transformation.