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In the last eight years (from 2017 to 2025), access to credit among women borrowers has increased five times to Rs 76 lakh crore, which is 26 percent of the total system-level credit. According to a report by TransUnion Cibil, out of the total loans of Rs 76 lakh crore, about a quarter of the loans were taken by women for business purposes. Data shows that in the last eight years, the share of loans taken for business purposes increased from 16% to 25%, while the share of personal loans declined from 77% to 71% between 2017 and 2025. Let us also tell you what kind of figures have emerged in the report.

How many women borrowers have increased in India?

The number of women borrowers taking credit in India has increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9 percent between 2017 and 2025. Access to credit for women increased from 19 percent in 2017 to 36 percent in 2025, an increase of 17 percentage points. In comparison, total credit access increased by 18 percentage points over the same period. Although retail loans still dominate as a category, business loans are increasingly taking the lead in promoting income generating activities. Outstanding business loans given to women to purchase working capital, inventory, equipment, expansion or other operational needs increased 7.5 times between 2017 and 2025.

How much increase in retail loans?

Retail loans grew 4.5 times over the same period, while microfinance – which is now on the path to recovery after a decline caused by excessive borrowing by borrowers – grew the slowest (2.9 times). This trend reflects an expansion on a large scale, rather than a limited increase in any one small area. The report said that although industry growth has slowed slightly in recent cycles, first-time women borrowers remain a structurally important opportunity to deepen financial inclusion and expand portfolios over the long term. The report further said that in retail credit, women's first loans are predominantly consumption-based, with digital mediums playing a key role in reducing barriers and improving access.