New Delhi, March 10, 2025: BharatLoan, one of India’s leading NBFCs, reveals a major shift in borrowing patterns among salaried women in its latest BharatLoan Lending Report 2025. The report highlights that 50% of female borrowers fall in the 25-35 age group, showcasing a strong correlation between women’s increasing financial independence and their active participation in the credit market. This represents a demographic that is in its prime earning years, leading to greater financial independence and a stronger ability to access and manage credit.
Financial Inclusion on the Rise: Women are steadily making their mark in the lending ecosystem, with female borrowers now accounting for 10.81% of total disbursements in 2025. This growth trend showcases the increasing confidence of women in leveraging financial resources to achieve their personal and professional goals. The rise in female borrowers underscores the changing landscape of economic empowerment and the growing role of women in financial decision-making.
The BharatLoan Lending Report 2025 highlights that Maharashtra and Karnataka continue to dominate India’s lending landscape, collectively accounting for over 51% of total loan disbursements. Maharashtra leads with 28%, reflecting its strong economic activity and financial penetration, while Karnataka follows closely at 23%, driven by its thriving fintech ecosystem. Tamil Nadu secures the third position with 13%, maintaining a consistent presence among the top lending states. Delhi and Telangana each contribute 11%, fueled by urban demand and digital adoption. Meanwhile, West Bengal, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh each account for 4% of disbursements, while Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh record lower shares at 2% and 1%, respectively.
The data indicates that while South and West India dominate in loan penetration, North and East India still present opportunities for increased lending awareness and accessibility.
Women Borrowers Maintain a Steady 10% Share
Women borrowers have maintained a steady presence in the lending market, with around 10% share in total loan disbursements showing consistent growth over the years. In 2023, women accounted for 10.67% of total loans disbursed, which increased slightly to 10.78% in 2024 and further to 10.81% in 2025. Although the percentage of female borrowers remains relatively low, the stable growth signifies a rising awareness of financial services and improved accessibility for women.
Steady 6-8% Growth in Women’s Loan Disbursals: A Positive Trend
Women borrowers have witnessed a significant increase in loan disbursals, growing at an annual rate of 6-8%, according to BharatLoan’s latest report. In 2023, loan disbursals to women grew by 5%, followed by a sharp rise of 13% in 2024. This momentum is expected to continue in 2025, with projected growth reaching 18-19%. The steady rise highlights the growing financial participation of women and improved credit accessibility, driven by fintech innovations that are breaking traditional financial barriers. As female borrowers continue to emerge as a key segment in India’s lending ecosystem, this upward trajectory underscores their expanding role in the credit market.
Young Female Professionals Drive Borrowing Trends
Another notable trend in the report is the dominance of young female professionals in borrowing, with more than 50% of women borrowers falling within the 25-35 age group. The highest participation comes from the 30-35 age bracket (27.81%), followed closely by those aged 25-30 (22.68%) and 35-40 (22.57%). This trend highlights that young working women are actively leveraging credit for career growth, higher education, and personal financial planning.
Salary Composition: 1 in 3 Women Earns ₹30k-50k
Additionally, the report reveals that income levels play a crucial role in loan decisions, with the majority of female borrowers (33.47%) earning between ₹30k-50k, making them the largest segment of borrowers. Another 24.46% fall in the ₹50k-70k range, while 16.33% earn between ₹70k-1L, and 17.16% belong to the high-income category (₹1L+). The data suggests that middle-income professionals form the backbone of female borrowers, emphasizing affordability as a key factor influencing their loan-taking behavior.
Speaking on the report findings, Mr. Amit Bansal, Founder at BharatLoan, stated, “The rise of female borrowers is a strong indicator of evolving financial inclusion in India. While we see steady participation, there is still significant scope to empower more women with easy and accessible credit. At BharatLoan, we are committed to bridging this gap through technology and financial literacy initiatives.”
With growing awareness, improved access to digital lending platforms, and tailored financial products, the future of female financial inclusion in India looks promising. As more women embrace financial independence, the lending landscape is set for further transformation, fostering economic empowerment across demographics.