BackECONOMY
1 In 4 Stock Market Investors Is Now A Woman, Demat Accounts Jump By 129%
The article outlines a structural shift in India's retail investing, with women comprising 24.9% of investors in FY26 and demat accounts held by women up 129% since 2021. The trend is spreading beyond metro areas to Tier 2/3 cities and across states, aided by digital access and financial inclusion.
Why It Matters
Increasing female participation could lead to steadier retail investment flows and greater long-term wealth creation, potentially reshaping market dynamics in India.
Timeline
7 Events
April 23, 2026: Article publication confirms 1 in 4 investors are women and 129% demat growth since 2021
April 23, 2026
The article '1 In 4 Stock Market Investors Is Now A Woman, Demat Accounts Jump By 129%' reports that women now make up about a quarter of investors and that demat accounts held by women have risen 129% since 2021.
March 2026: FY26 marks 24.9% female share of investors; demat accounts held by women exceed 3 crore
March 2026
In FY26, the share of women among total investors rose to 24.9%, and more than 3 crore demat accounts (out of 21 crore) are operated by women.
March 2024: FY24 sees more women from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities
March 2024
In FY24, nearly 35% of newly registered women investors came from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities such as Jaipur, Surat, and Coimbatore.
2023: 16 states report female investor participation above national average in FY23
2023
In FY23, 16 states reported female investor participation above the national average.
2021: Demat accounts held by women rise sharply
2021
Since 2021, the number of demat accounts operated by women has jumped by more than 129%.
2019: Women investors were well below 20% prior to Covid-19
2019
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, women accounted for well below 20% of India's equity investor base.
2016: Women comprised a small fraction of India's market investors
2016
A decade ago (circa 2016), women accounted for a small fraction of India's market investors, marking the early phase of the long-term participation trend.