A recent report by Urban Money highlights a significant discrepancy in the representation of women within India’s housing finance sector, revealing that only 11% of home loan approvals were granted to female borrowers in 2025. This statistic underscores a troubling gap between women's strong aspirations for property ownership and their actual access to housing finance. Despite women making up nearly half of India's population and accounting for approximately 30% of residential property registrations, their financial engagement in the real estate market remains disproportionately low. Surveys indicate that around 75% of women prioritize real estate as their preferred asset class, yet the lending landscape does not reflect this commitment.
The report also sheds light on the disparities in loan sizes between genders. Women’s average home loan amounts to about Rs 23 lakh, significantly lower than the Rs 29 lakh average for men. This discrepancy is indicative of broader issues such as income disparity and structural barriers in employment that limit women's borrowing capacities. Kanika Gupta Shori, COO and Co-founder of Square Yards, emphasizes that while women's socio-economic participation has made strides, these improvements have not translated into equitable access to credit. Factors such as income asymmetry, interrupted career trajectories, and insufficient credit histories continue to hinder women’s eligibility for home loans.
In addressing the systemic barriers, the report notes that women currently constitute around 28% of the corporate workforce, but their representation diminishes at senior levels, dropping to about 8% among chief executives. This underrepresentation can adversely affect women’s documented repayment capacities, which are crucial for loan approval. Common reasons cited for loan rejections among female applicants include inadequate income, unstable job histories, and low credit scores. These factors collectively contribute to the persistent challenges faced by women in securing home loans.
City-level analysis reveals a mixed picture, with only certain urban areas showing signs of progress. For instance, in Gurugram and Noida, women’s average loan sizes surpassed those of their male counterparts, with women in Gurugram borrowing an average of Rs 64.5 lakh compared to Rs 57.8 lakh for men. However, Chennai reported the lowest average loan size for women at Rs 12.7 lakh, highlighting a significant credit gap. On the other hand, Thane emerged as the most balanced market regarding average loan sizes between genders. Amit Prakash Singh, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at Urban Money, stresses that enhancing women’s participation in housing finance necessitates comprehensive changes that go beyond mere numbers, aiming for a more inclusive financial ecosystem.