Women’s Digital Financial Inclusion in Platform Economy

The International Labour Organization and the National Council of Applied Economic Research released a joint policy brief titled Advancing Women’s Digital Financial Inclusion in the Platform Economy in New Delhi on 24 August 2026. The brief examined women’s participation in India’s platform economy, digital banking access, and formal credit availability.

Platform Economy in India

The platform economy refers to work arranged through digital platforms that connect workers, customers, and service providers. In India, the platform workforce increased from 7.7 million in 2020 to 12 million in FY25, and it is projected to reach 23.5 million by 2029-30. Women account for less than 1% of two-wheeler delivery drivers in urban areas.

Digital Financial Inclusion

Digital financial inclusion covers access to and use of digital payment systems, online banking, and formal financial services through electronic channels. Women’s bank-account ownership in India rose from 43% in 2014 to 89% in 2024, but the digital finance gap remained wide. Only 25.2% of Indian women aged 15 and above could conduct online banking transactions, compared with 47.1% of men.

Credit Access and Digital Public Infrastructure

The brief identified cash flow-based lending as a method that uses digital records of platform payments to assess repayment capacity. This model is relevant for women who often lack land or property for collateral under conventional lending systems. The brief also referred to Digital Public Infrastructure, including the Account Aggregator framework and e-Shram records, for portable financial data and wider credit access.

Important Facts for Exams

• The International Labour Organization is a specialised agency of the United Nations founded in 1919.
• The National Council of Applied Economic Research is one of India’s oldest independent economic policy research institutions.
• The Account Aggregator framework is part of India’s digital financial architecture for consent-based data sharing.
• The e-Shram portal is a national database for unorganised workers in India.

Key Data Points

Only 18% of women possessed digital financial capability, compared with 30.1% of men. The brief linked women’s employment prospects in platform work with access to credit and mobility.