Home / Business and Economy / Indian Women Swap Sarees for Smartphones in Financial Leap
Indian Women Swap Sarees for Smartphones in Financial Leap
18 Jun
Summary
- Internet usage by Indian women jumped from 33.3% to 64.3%.
- Women owning mobile phones rose from 53.9% to 63.6%.
- Digital payments aid small businesses and financial independence.
A notable shift is occurring in India, where women are increasingly managing household finances through smartphones instead of traditional methods like cash or gold. As of the latest National Family Health Survey (2023-24), internet usage among Indian women has significantly risen to 64.3%, a substantial increase from 33.3% in the prior survey. Similarly, women independently using mobile phones rose to 63.6% from 53.9%.
This digital transformation extends to increased financial independence and control. Women are utilizing banking apps for bill payments, expense tracking, and investments, a stark contrast to earlier reliance on male family members. For entrepreneurs, digital payments facilitate business-to-household financial separation and improve access to credit.
While access to digital financial services has expanded, active usage by women still lags, with only about a quarter of payment users being female. The challenge now lies in converting this digital connectivity into confidence and consistent usage, marking the next frontier in financial inclusion for Indian women.
