Niti Ayog Report Says Indian Women Borrowers Tripled in 5 Years

By: WE Staff | Tuesday, 4 March 2025

• Semi-Urban & Rural Indian Women Borrowers jump 60% in 5 yrs
• Despite constituting nearly Half of the Population, Women contribute 18% to GDP

A report by Niti Aayog, TransUnion CIBIL, and MicroSave Consulting shows that the number of women borrowers in India has tripled between 2019 and 2024, with 60 per cent from semi-urban and rural areas. Women under 30 account for 27 per cent of retail credit, but their share in business loan origination and gold loans has increased by 14 per cent and 6 per cent respectively in the past five years.

A report highlights women's growing role in economic growth, accounting for 35 per cent of business borrowers by December 2024. However, despite constituting around nearly half of the nation's population, women contribute 18 per cent to the GDP. The report explores the role of women in the country's economic growth, highlighting their potential and systemic barriers.

In 2024, 42 per cent of women's loans were for personal finance, a slight increase from 39 per cent in 2019. However, 36 per cent were gold loans, compared to 19 per cent in 2019. Women's access to credit increased by 22 per cent, with 60 per cent from semi-urban and rural areas. According to the report, 22 per cent CAGR in women's credit access rose from 20 lakh in 2019 to 2.7 crore in 2024.

B V R Subrahmanyam, CEO of Niti Aayog noted "The findings are encouraging. A 42 per cent year-on-year increase in women actively monitoring their credit health demonstrates a significant step towards financial awareness and responsible credit management."