Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
20.6% of enterprises in Gaya are women-owned. 75.1% of women have their own bank account, close to the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹11,804 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
71% of registered enterprises are in services while 29% are in manufacturing. Only 3% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. Only 43% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Gaya, which ranks 6 of 38 in Bihar for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 44.7 out of 100. The district runs ahead of the national picture on women's freedom of movement at 50.6%, while it lags on women in the labour force at 19.3%. On women taking part in all major household decisions at 75.3%, it sits close to the national mark.