Pillar: Opportunity Infrastructure
18.1% of enterprises in Darjeeling are women-owned. 79% of women have their own bank account, close to the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹62,776 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
86% of registered enterprises are in services while 14% are in manufacturing. Only 9% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 60% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12). Only 26% of ITI trainers are certified.
In Darjeeling, which ranks 3 of 23 in West Bengal for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 52 out of 100. It runs ahead of the national picture on women's freedom of movement at 61.5% and women taking part in all major household decisions at 84.3%. On women in the labour force at 49.1%, it sits close to the national mark.
Mandated services and how to locate the NRLM Self-Help Group in Darjeeling are in the Darjeeling district course and the English reference guide (Hindi). See the Darjeeling youth opportunity scorecard for the full district picture.