Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
39.1% of enterprises in Tirunelveli are women-owned. 90.8% of women have their own bank account, better than the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹75,351 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 3% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 92% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Tirunelveli, which ranks 9 of 38 in Tamil Nadu for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 54.2 out of 100. It trails the national picture on women's freedom of movement at 33.6%. On women in the labour force at 46.9% and women taking part in all major household decisions at 70.4%, it sits close to the national mark.