Financial Autonomy and Confidence
A majority of the female entrepreneurs surveyed (69%) identify themselves as the primary decision-makers in financial matters. This is slightly higher than rural women earners (60%) and HNW women (58%) , indicating consistently strong financial autonomy across all 3 cohorts.
Financial Behaviour and Priorities
Across all age groups and income levels, 64% of HNW women and 73% of female entrepreneurs identify buying a new home or property as their primary life goal, highlighting a strong preference for tangible assets and an affinity with home ownership.
In contrast, 73% of rural women earners rank children’s education as their most important life goal, significantly higher than HNW women (38%) and female entrepreneurs (46%).
Banking Preferences and Digital Access
Global connectivity emerges as a key factor for many urban Indian women when selecting a banking partner. The preference is strongest among female entrepreneurs, with 89% citing a bank’s international network as influencing their decision.
Among HNW women, 84% view an institution’s global footprint as an important factor in their choice. 81% of female entrepreneurs and 80% of HNW women surveyed already bank with global institutions.
Digital platforms, including apps and websites, are the most preferred channels of engagement for female entrepreneurs (44%) and 29% of HNW women. HNW women tend to prefer a hybrid approach (36%), combining digital channels with in-person support.
Female entrepreneurs show the highest levels of digital adoption. Among those surveyed in this group, 84% use UPI, and 59% actively use digital financial tools such as banking apps. HNW women surveyed report UPI adoption at 77%, and 52% say they use digital tools such as savings and banking apps.
Career Continuity
Female entrepreneurs report a higher incidence of extended breaks, with 46% taking breaks for family or personal reasons and 22% for voluntary reasons such as travel or upskilling. Among HNW women, the corresponding figures are lower, at 36% and 15% respectively.
Across respondents, flexible working hours are the most widely cited enabler of improved work–life balance, valued by 69% of HNW women and 62% of female entrepreneurs.
Retirement: Expectations and Preparedness
Among the female entrepreneurs surveyed, 39% expect to retire after the age of 50 years, 20% believe they may never fully retire, and 26% remain unsure. 41% of HNW women plan to retire after 50, 29% want to continue working and may not retire, while 12% are uncertain about their retirement age.
42% of rural women earners expect to retire after 50, 29% believe they will continue working indefinitely, and 19% were unsure about their retirement age. 37% of women in this cohort report having no long-term financial plan for retirement, while others rely on bank or post office savings (27%), formal pension schemes (23%), or informal instruments (13%).
