Rise of women investors: Zerodha sees their share climb to 30% in 10 years

Women are increasingly participating in India’s stock markets, challenging the long-standing perception of investing as a male-dominated domain. According to data shared by Zerodha co-founder and CEO Mr. Nithin Kamath, women now constitute nearly 30% of the brokerage’s customer base, up from just 2-3% a decade ago. Over the same period, the share of men has declined from 78% to around 68% in the last five years. This trend reflects a broader rise in women’s financial inclusion, driven by digital platforms, easier access to investment tools, and growing awareness.
A survey by Zerodha indicates that 50% of women investors manage their accounts independently. At the same time, the other half relies on family members, typically husbands, brothers, or children. He noted that the self-managed share is a positive start. However, greater independence is needed for women to achieve true financial autonomy. Government data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) corroborates this shift, showing women now hold 39.7% of all bank accounts and deposits. Demat account holdings among women have surged from 6.7 million in 2021 to 27.7 million in 2024, highlighting a gradual but significant transformation in India’s investment landscape. While men continue to dominate market share, women investors are steadily establishing their presence in equity markets. 

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.