Generated Summary
The document is an excerpt from a report focusing on women entrepreneurs in India, derived from the Sixth Economic Census. It examines the landscape of women-owned businesses, their distribution across different states and sectors, and the characteristics of their operations. The study utilizes data from the census to provide insights into the role of women in the Indian economy, their access to resources, and their contributions to economic growth and development. The methodology involves analyzing the census data to understand the number of establishments owned by women, their geographical distribution, employment figures, and the types of activities they engage in. The scope of the study encompasses various aspects of women entrepreneurship, including the nature of their businesses, the sources of their funding, and the challenges they face. The report also delves into the religious and social group affiliations of women entrepreneurs, providing a comprehensive overview of their economic participation.
Key Findings & Statistics
- Total Establishments: The total number of establishments owned by women entrepreneurs was 8,050,819 out of which 5,243,044 (65.12%) were located in rural areas, and 2,807,775 (34.88%) were in urban areas.
- Establishments by Employment: Approximately 6,697,354 establishments (83.19%) operated without hired workers, and 1,353,465 (16.31%) operated with hired workers.
- Rural vs. Urban: The percentage of establishments without hired workers in rural areas was 86.85%, while in urban areas, it was 76.33%.
- Agricultural Activities: The number of women-owned establishments involved in agricultural activities was 2,761,767, which constitutes 34.3% of the total establishments owned by women.
- Top States by Share: The top five states in terms of percentage share in the total number of women-owned establishments are: Tamil Nadu (13.51%), Kerala (11.35%), Andhra Pradesh (10.56%), West Bengal (10.33%), and Maharashtra (8.25%).
- Establishments by Type and State: The document includes a detailed table (Table 6.1) providing a state/UT-wise distribution of the total number of establishments under women entrepreneurship by type of establishment (without hired workers, with at least one hired worker, and total) and their percentage share.
- Total Persons Employed: The total number of persons employed in establishments owned by women was 13.45 million.
- Employment Location: Out of the total, 8.2 million (61.46%) persons were employed in rural areas, and 5.18 million (38.54%) in urban areas.
- Employment by Worker Type: 8.67 million persons (64.5%) were working in establishments without hired workers, while 4.77 million (35.5%) were in establishments with hired workers.
- State Employment Share: The top five states in terms of the share of persons employed in women-owned establishments are: Tamil Nadu (13.81%), West Bengal (10.21%), Andhra Pradesh (9.85%), Maharashtra (8.16%), and Gujarat (7.45%).
- Agricultural vs. Non-Agricultural: The total number of agricultural establishments was 2.76 million, constituting 34.3% of the total establishments owned by women, whereas about 5.29 million establishments (65.7%) were involved in non-agricultural activities.
- Agricultural Activities Breakdown: Within the agricultural sector, 2.54 million establishments (92.20%) pertained to livestock.
- Non-Agricultural Activities Breakdown: In the non-agricultural sector, about 2.4 million establishments (45.36%) were engaged in manufacturing activity.
- Broad Activity and Employment: The document presents Table 6.2, which provides a broad activity-wise total number of establishments under women entrepreneurship by type of establishment.
- Employment by Activity: Agriculture (30.14%), Manufacturing (29.36%), Trade (17.69%), and Education (5.49%).
- Finance Sources: Nearly 79% of the women-owned establishments were self-financed, while donation or transfer from other agencies contributed 14.65%.
- Religious Distribution: 65.6% of the establishments were owned by Hindu entrepreneurs, 12.8% by those of Islam, 5.2% by Christians, 0.9% by Sikhs, and 0.5% by Jains and Buddhists.
Other Important Findings
- Role in Decision Making: Women have started playing important roles in decision-making at all levels.
- Data Scarcity: Data on women entrepreneurship at the national level is rather scanty.
- Establishment Location: The majority of establishments owned by women entrepreneurs were located in rural areas.
- Agricultural Involvement: A significant number of women-owned establishments are involved in agricultural activities.
- Employment Trends: The majority of the workforce in women-owned establishments comprises those without hired workers.
- Activity Breakdown: The top economic activities for women entrepreneurs are Agriculture, Manufacturing, Trade, Other Services, and Accommodation & Food Services.
- Top 5 States: The states with the highest percentage of women-owned establishments are Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Maharashtra.
- Nature of Operation: About 89% of the women-owned establishments are perennial, 9% seasonal, and 2% casual.
- Workforce in Establishments: 89.4% of the workers work in perennial establishments, 8.95% in seasonal, and 1.6% in casual establishments.
Limitations Noted in the Document
- Data Limitations: The study acknowledges that data on women entrepreneurship at the national level is rather scanty, which could impact the comprehensiveness of the analysis.
- Data Collection: The document relies on the Sixth Economic Census for data, which is a snapshot in time and may not fully capture the dynamic nature of women entrepreneurship.
- Generalization: The analysis is based on aggregated data, and it might not reflect the nuances of specific regions or sectors.
Conclusion
The findings of the report underscore the significant contribution of women entrepreneurs to the Indian economy. The data reveals a substantial number of women-owned establishments, particularly in rural areas, highlighting their role in economic development and employment generation. The distribution of these establishments across various states and sectors, including agriculture and manufacturing, indicates the diverse economic activities undertaken by women entrepreneurs. The analysis of employment figures further emphasizes their contribution to the workforce, with a substantial portion of workers employed in these establishments. The findings on the nature of operation, with a majority of establishments being perennial, and the sources of finance, with self-financing being predominant, offer insights into the sustainability and resilience of women-owned businesses. The recognition of the challenges, such as data scarcity and the need for further research, serves as a call for policymakers and researchers to focus on creating an enabling environment that supports and empowers women entrepreneurs. This includes initiatives to improve data collection, provide access to finance, and address the specific needs of women entrepreneurs across different sectors and regions. The emphasis on the role of women in decision-making and the need for equitable access to economic resources reinforces the importance of their participation in achieving gender equality and sustainable economic growth.