Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
22.6% of enterprises in Kottayam are women-owned. 75.2% of women have their own bank account, close to the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹48,879 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
77% of registered enterprises are in services while 23% are in manufacturing. Only 8% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 88% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Kottayam, which ranks 3 of 15 in Kerala for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 58.1 out of 100. The district runs ahead of the national picture on women in the labour force at 61.1%, while it lags on women's freedom of movement at 15.5%. On women taking part in all major household decisions at 66.9%, it sits close to the national mark.