Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
41% of enterprises in Surat are women-owned. 73.6% of women have their own bank account, close to the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹18,996 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
53% of registered enterprises are in services while 47% are in manufacturing. Only 11% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 75% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Surat, which ranks 6 of 33 in Gujarat for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 52.9 out of 100. It runs ahead of the national picture on women's freedom of movement at 64.7% and women taking part in all major household decisions at 88.3%. On women in the labour force at 48.5%, it sits close to the national mark.