The participation of Non-Resident Indian (NRI) women in cross-border investing has grown significantly over the past year, according to a new report by cross-border wealth platform Belong. Female investor participation has increased by nearly 70%, highlighting a growing trend of financial independence and wealth creation among women in the global Indian diaspora.
The report, which analysed NRI investor participation across 34 countries between July 2025 and June 2026, found that women accounted for 7.3% of all NRI investors as of June 2026, up from 4.3% a year earlier. Although women still represent a relatively small share of the overall investor base, the sharp increase reflects a positive shift in cross-border investment participation.
The study also revealed a notable regional difference. Women living in Western countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Europe, accounted for 11.4% of investors, compared with 6.8% in Gulf countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait. This means female participation in Western markets is nearly 1.7 times higher than in Gulf nations.
According to Belong, the disparity is largely influenced by migration patterns and household structures. NRIs in Western countries are more likely to belong to dual-income professional households where women have independent careers and are actively involved in long-term financial planning. In contrast, migration to Gulf countries has traditionally been driven by contract-based employment and single-income families, resulting in comparatively lower participation by women in investment decisions.
Commenting on the findings, Ankur Choudhary, Co-Founder and CEO of Belong, said the rise in female participation is one of the most encouraging trends among NRI investors. He added that the report also challenges the idea of a single NRI investor profile, as investment behaviour varies considerably across different regions.
The report also points to the growing role of digital wealth platforms in expanding access to investments. Simplified digital onboarding, paperless investing and seamless cross-border investment services have made it easier for NRIs to invest in India and global markets from anywhere in the world.
Founded in 2024, Belong offers NRIs access to India-bound and global mutual funds, Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), USD fixed deposits and several other India-linked investment products through a single digital platform.
While the report measures investor participation rather than the value of investments, it highlights a broader trend of increasing financial inclusion among women in the Indian diaspora. As digital investing continues to grow and more women enter the workforce globally, female participation is expected to become an increasingly important driver of cross-border wealth creation among NRIs.
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