Each centre serves around 400 to 800 people: nutrition and pre-school for children under six and pregnant women.
In Ariyalur, 25.3% of children under five are stunted, better than the typical Indian district. The Anganwadi centre is the frontline for changing that: supplementary nutrition, growth monitoring, and pre-school for children up to six.
75% of registered enterprises are in services while 25% are in manufacturing. Only 2% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 85% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Ariyalur, which ranks 28 of 38 in Tamil Nadu for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 48.8 out of 100. On women who are anaemic at 62.4% and households in the poorest wealth group at 17.3%, it sits close to the national mark.