Pillar: Opportunity Infrastructure
29.1% of enterprises in Balod are women-owned. 84.6% of women have their own bank account, close to the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹17,586 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
79% of registered enterprises are in services while 21% are in manufacturing. Only 3% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. Only 54% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12). Only 23% of ITI trainers are certified.
In Balod, which ranks 9 of 33 in Chhattisgarh for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 47.3 out of 100. It runs ahead of the national picture on women in the labour force at 71.4% and women's freedom of movement at 49.2%. On women taking part in all major household decisions at 78%, it sits close to the national mark.
Mandated services and how to locate the NRLM Self-Help Group in Balod are in the Balod district course and the English reference guide (Hindi). See the Balod youth opportunity scorecard for the full district picture.