Women's Investment Could Boost India's GDP by Rs 40 Lakh Crore

By: WE Staff | Friday, 6 March 2026

• The long-term investment by women could add ₹40 lakh crore to India’s GDP
• Growth comes through increased participation in the market, savings, and long-term investment
• The report has been titled Unlocking Her Wealth: The Untapped Economy

According to a report by Lxme and EY India, if women’s participation in financial investments is increased, a total opportunity worth ₹40 lakh crore in terms of GDP can be created. This growth is likely to emerge from higher capital markets participation, domestic savings, and long-term investments.

In its latest report, titled “Unlocking Her Wealth: The Untapped Economy – Redesigning Financial Systems for Women from Inclusion Metrics to Ownership Outcomes,” Lxme and EY India launched the first Women’s Financial Prosperity Index (WFPI) for India, where the country has achieved a score of 28.1 out of 100.

India has achieved a rapid growth in financial inclusion, where more than 89 percent of women now have bank accounts, and digital payments are becoming increasingly popular among the population. However, there is a significant gap in the ability to convert this into wealth creation for women.

According to Lxme’s platform data, which has seen over one million users, products that cater specifically to women, such as Lxme Pay, India’s first women-focused UPI experience, can drive the transition from daily transactions to long-term investments.

The report points out the existing structural gaps in the country, where women earn 73 rupees for every 100 rupees earned by men, over 60 percent of women work in the informal sector where income is irregular, 41.7 percent of working-age women participate in the labor force, as opposed to 78.8 percent of men, 8.6 percent of women invest in mutual funds and equities, as opposed to 22.3 percent of men, 14.2 percent of women hold pensions or provident funds, 25 percent of mutual funds are owned by women, women invest later in life, hold 60% of the retirement savings of men, and 21 percent of women are financially literate.

Priti Rathi Gupta, Co-founder of Lxme, said that India has developed significant financial infrastructure, but the reality of inclusion without agency is not enough.

She said that the country needs to offer products, communities, and support that cater to the needs of women to truly allow them to participate meaningfully in the financial system.

Saurabh Chandra, Partner – Financial Services, EY India, stated that “India has made significant strides in financial inclusion, but there is room for improvement in the system to cater better to women’s needs.” The key is to unlock the Rs 40 lakh crore opportunities by designing financial policies that support women’s economic participation.

The report asserts that “financial inclusion on its own is not enough for achieving economic equity between men and women.” Rather, “it requires concerted efforts by multiple stakeholders, including regulators, financial service providers, fintech players, and policymakers, to create financial systems that mirror women’s earnings, spending, and investing patterns.” Enabling women to build wealth is “not only about gender; it is about macroeconomic necessity for India’s continued economic progress.”