Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
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 ₹53,728 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. 91% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Palakkad, which ranks 13 of 15 in Kerala for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 53.7 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.