Women are ahead in both Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) and lump sum mutual fund investments, according to new data from PhonePe Wealth. This marks a shift in how women approach financial growth, moving away from traditionally cautious strategies towards a more confident, long-term investment mindset.
Between January and December 2024, PhonePe analysed data from one lakh (1,00,000) women investors. The findings reveal that, on average, women’s SIP transaction value is 22% higher than men’s. When it comes to lump sum investments—where investors put in a one-time amount instead of periodic contributions—women are investing 45% more than men.
SIPs, or Systematic Investment Plans, allow investors to put in a fixed amount at regular intervals (monthly, quarterly, etc.) into mutual funds. This helps in maintaining financial discipline and reducing the risks of market fluctuations. PhonePe’s data shows that 90% of women investors begin their investment journey with SIPs, reflecting a preference for steady, long-term wealth-building strategies.
The average SIP investment by women stands at ₹1,300, which is 22% more than what men invest on average. More importantly, women are not just increasing their investment amounts—they’re diversifying their portfolios. They are actively investing in mid-cap, small-cap, flexi-cap, contra/value funds, and thematic funds, showing a growing willingness to explore different asset categories.
One of the most significant findings is that 72% of women investors come from B30 cities—a term used for locations beyond the top 30 cities in India. This suggests that investing is no longer just an urban phenomenon. Women in smaller cities and towns are increasingly engaging with financial markets, a strong sign of growing financial inclusion.
The data also indicates that younger women are leading this trend. 74% of women investors are under 35 years old, with the largest age group being between 26 and 30 years old (29%). This means women are starting their investment journey early, with a long-term focus on wealth creation and security.
Industry-wide data backs up this trend. According to the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), women now account for 33% of the total individual Assets Under Management (AUM) in mutual funds. This means that out of the total investments by individuals in mutual funds, a third now belongs to women.
The total value of women’s investments in mutual funds has grown from ₹4.59 lakh crore in March 2019 to ₹11.25 lakh crore in March 2024—more than doubling in just five years. The key driver? SIPs. The total AUM of women’s SIPs has jumped by 319.3% between 2019 and 2024, says AMFI.
