Kolkata: Credit penetration among women borrowers increased five fold to Rs 76 lakh crore in the past eight years to 2025 accounting for 26% of the total system level credit, a TransUnion Cibil report showed.
About a quarter of the total Rs 76 lakh crore loans was availed off by women for business purposes. The share of business purpose loans rose from 16% in the past eight years, while the share of personal loans came down to 71% from 77% between 2017 and 2025, the data showed.
The number of women borrowers availing credit in India has increased at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% between 2017 to 2025. Credit access for women increased from 19% in 2017 to 36% in 2025, a growth of 17 percentage points growing. In comparison, the overall credit access grew 18 percentage points in the same period.
While retail purpose loans still dominate as a category, business purpose loans are making a steady stride to support income-generating activities. Outstanding business loans given to women for working capital, inventory purchase, equipment, expansion or other operational needs grew 7.5 times between 2017 and 2025.
Retail loans grew 4.5 fold in the same period while microfinance,which is currently on its path to recovery after a decline caused by borrower over-leveraging, has grown the slowest at 2.9 fold.
The trend reflects a broad-based expansion rather than growth concentrated in a narrow segment. "While industry growth has moderated in recent cycles, new-to-credit women borrowers remain a structurally important opportunity to deepen inclusion and drive long-term portfolio expansion," the report said.
In retail credit, women’s first loans remain predominantly consumption-led, with digital sourcing playing a critical role in reducing friction and improving access, the report added.
About a quarter of the total Rs 76 lakh crore loans was availed off by women for business purposes. The share of business purpose loans rose from 16% in the past eight years, while the share of personal loans came down to 71% from 77% between 2017 and 2025, the data showed.
The number of women borrowers availing credit in India has increased at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% between 2017 to 2025. Credit access for women increased from 19% in 2017 to 36% in 2025, a growth of 17 percentage points growing. In comparison, the overall credit access grew 18 percentage points in the same period.
While retail purpose loans still dominate as a category, business purpose loans are making a steady stride to support income-generating activities. Outstanding business loans given to women for working capital, inventory purchase, equipment, expansion or other operational needs grew 7.5 times between 2017 and 2025.
Retail loans grew 4.5 fold in the same period while microfinance,which is currently on its path to recovery after a decline caused by borrower over-leveraging, has grown the slowest at 2.9 fold.
The trend reflects a broad-based expansion rather than growth concentrated in a narrow segment. "While industry growth has moderated in recent cycles, new-to-credit women borrowers remain a structurally important opportunity to deepen inclusion and drive long-term portfolio expansion," the report said.
In retail credit, women’s first loans remain predominantly consumption-led, with digital sourcing playing a critical role in reducing friction and improving access, the report added.
