Pillar: Opportunity Infrastructure
21.9% of enterprises in Palakkad are women-owned. 78.7% of women have their own bank account, close to the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹66,571 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
74% of registered enterprises are in services while 26% are in manufacturing. Only 5% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. Higher secondary enrollment (classes 9–12) is 111%, likely reflecting students enrolling from neighbouring areas. Only 31% of ITI trainers are certified.
In Palakkad, which ranks 12 of 15 in Kerala for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 53.8 out of 100. It trails the national picture on women's freedom of movement at 13.7%. On women in the labour force at 45.6% and women taking part in all major household decisions at 79.5%, it sits close to the national mark.
Mandated services and how to locate the NRLM Self-Help Group in Palakkad are in the Palakkad district course and the English reference guide (Hindi). See the Palakkad youth opportunity scorecard for the full district picture.