Ahmedabad: Three Gujarat cities have featured among India’s Top 5 million-plus cities for the share of businesses owned by women, according to Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2025.Surat topped the list, with women owning 43.2% of proprietary establishments. Vadodara ranked second at 40.7%, followed by Pune at 40.7% and Ahmedabad at 40%. Pimpri Chinchwad stood fifth with a share of 38.5%.The figures come from Union ministry of statistics and programme implementation (MoSPI)’s estimates covering 46 million-plus cities, classified as cities with a population of at least 10 lakh according to the 2011 Census.The report includes city-level indicators on female ownership of proprietary establishments, the share of women workers and gross value added.The MoSPI report states that Rajkot recorded a share of 36.7% in women-owned proprietary establishments, placing it outside the Top 5 list.Experts attributed the strong showing by Gujarat’s cities to the state’s startup ecosystem, policy support, easier access to finance, rising literacy and the growing participation of women in family businesses and independent ventures.“There are multiple factors driving women’s entrepreneurship in Gujarat. At the seed stage, the growth of the startup ecosystem and higher grants are encouraging more women to enter business. For mid-stage businesses, policies such as women entrepreneur parks in GIDCs, where plots are offered at heavily discounted rates, are helping women set up enterprises,” said Pathik Patwari, chairperson of ICC Gujarat.“The banking sector also offers attractive interest rates and easier access to finance for women entrepreneurs. We are also seeing traditionally family-run businesses being structured to bring women into ownership and management. Over the past two decades, rising literacy levels in Gujarat have further empowered women to start their own ventures,” he added.The Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation has earmarked dedicated women industrial parks at Sanand, Juned in Bharuch and Bardoli in Surat. These parks offer small industrial plots and concessions such as flexible payment options, subsidised interest and special concessions on allotment prices for women entrepreneurs.Vinod Aggarwal, former chairperson of CII Gujarat, said women were increasingly starting independent ventures, moving into traditionally male-dominated sectors and taking on larger roles in family businesses.“Entrepreneurial spirit runs high in Gujarat. Many family businesses also see women diversifying into their own ventures. We have also seen a flurry of startups. Traditional industries have been expanding, while women are increasingly entering sectors such as finance,” he said.Aggarwal said improved literacy, greater awareness among urban and rural families and Gujarat’s law-and-order situation had contributed to women’s growing economic independence.“With more women entering the workforce and entrepreneurship, family incomes have also increased, eventually improving people’s purchasing power,” he said.The strong performance of Surat, Vadodara and Ahmedabad places Gujarat prominently on the national table for women-owned proprietary establishments.
