Pillar: Opportunity Infrastructure
24.2% of enterprises in Salem are women-owned. 84.1% of women have their own bank account, close to the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹36,539 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
59% of registered enterprises are in services while 41% are in manufacturing. Only 5% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 67% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12). Only 37% of ITI trainers are certified.
In Salem, which ranks 25 of 38 in Tamil Nadu for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 49.8 out of 100. The district runs ahead of the national picture on women in the labour force at 55.8%, while it lags on women's freedom of movement at 26%. On women taking part in all major household decisions at 69.6%, it sits close to the national mark.
Mandated services and how to locate the NRLM Self-Help Group in Salem are in the Salem district course and the English reference guide (Hindi). See the Salem youth opportunity scorecard for the full district picture.