Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
34.8% of enterprises in Kollam are women-owned. 84.8% of women have their own bank account, close to the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹54,662 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
73% of registered enterprises are in services while 27% are in manufacturing. Only 6% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 90% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Kollam, which ranks 6 of 15 in Kerala for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 56.7 out of 100. It trails the national picture on women's freedom of movement at 13.2%. On women in the labour force at 53.5% and women taking part in all major household decisions at 73.9%, it sits close to the national mark.