90% of rural women entrepreneurs in India consistently save a portion of their monthly income: Survey

Mumbai:  DBS Bank India, in collaboration with Haqdarshak, has unveiled a comprehensive report on the aspirations, challenges, and financial behaviours of women entrepreneurs in rural India. This report, launched ahead of International Women’s Day 2025, builds upon DBS Bank India’s ‘Women and Finance’ (WAF) study launched in 2024, which comprises three reports, each capturing unique insights from women across different segments and their attitudes towards finance.

The first two reports provided insights into women in urban India, focusing on their savings and investment behaviours, career preferences, and the challenges they face in the workforce. The third report centred on women entrepreneurs in Indian metros, identifying key areas where they seek support and opportunities for business enablement.

The current study, conducted by Haqdarshak, surveyed 411 women entrepreneurs across rural districts in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, with 402 being members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs). This was supplemented by qualitative insights from five focus group discussions (FGDs), offering a nuanced understanding of their experiences.