Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
30.2% of enterprises in Budgam are women-owned. 89.3% of women have their own bank account, better than the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹71,492 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
55% of registered enterprises are in services while 45% are in manufacturing. Only 1% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. Only 47% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Budgam, which ranks 12 of 20 in Jammu and Kashmir for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 50.9 out of 100. The district runs ahead of the national picture on women in the labour force at 75.9%, while it lags on women taking part in all major household decisions at 54.2%. On women's freedom of movement at 39.8%, it sits close to the national mark.