Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
24.8% of enterprises in Nawada are women-owned. 77.5% of women have their own bank account, close to the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹10,580 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
72% of registered enterprises are in services while 28% are in manufacturing. Only 2% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. Only 46% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Nawada, which ranks 21 of 38 in Bihar for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 41.8 out of 100. The district runs ahead of the national picture on women's freedom of movement at 55%, while it lags on women in the labour force at 19.9%. On women taking part in all major household decisions at 68.4%, it sits close to the national mark.