Women are no longer confined to traditional roles and are boldly venturing into the entrepreneurial arena, breaking down barriers and redefining the business landscape.
In this article, we will explore the statistics of female entrepreneurship including the percentage of female entrepreneurs in the world, the global prevalence of women-led businesses, the persistent gender disparities in the business environment, and other essential statistics to broaden your perspective about the business world today.
Key Statistics
- About 43% of business owners worldwide are women.
- 42% of all businesses are managed by women in the United States.
- Over 9 out of 10 small businesses are owned and managed by women
- Between 2020 and 2021, 49% of all newly opened businesses are owned by women.
- A remarkable 114% surge in the number of women entrepreneurs has transformed the US entrepreneurial landscape over the past twenty years
- Gender bias remains a significant challenge for female entrepreneurs, with over 35% personally experiencing these discriminatory practices
Percentage of Female Entrepreneurs in The World in 2025
1. About 43% of Business Owners Worldwide Are Women.
What is the percentage of female entrepreneurs in the world?
According to recent data, around 43% of all businesses worldwide are owned by women.
In today’s time when almost everyone is given an equal chance to do something, women are slowly dominating the business world.
One of the biggest reasons for this is because women are gaining greater access to education and resources, enabling them to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their businesses.
Womens’ contributions are expected to foster economic growth, drive innovation, and create a more equitable and inclusive business landscape.
(Convoy of Hope)
2. In The United States, 42% of All Businesses Are Managed by Women
Women are redefining traditional expectations and forging their own paths to success in the business world, owning and managing a remarkable 42% of all businesses nationwide.
This remarkable achievement highlights the growing prominence of women in the American economic sphere, as they persistently break down barriers and reshape the business landscape in the most powerful economy in the world.
(Pay.com)
3. Roughly 90.3% of Microbusinesses Are Owned by Women
Women entrepreneurs play a dominant role in the microbusiness sector, with 90.3% of microbusinesses being owned by women all over the world.
Microbusinesses are usually businesses with fewer than five employees.
They form the backbone of the economy, generating employment opportunities, fostering innovation, and contributing to local communities.
In addition, studies show microbusiness ownership contributes to women empowerment, providing them with economic independence, self-reliance, and the opportunity to contribute to their communities.
(Writers Block Live)
4. Between 2020 and 2021, 49% of All Newly Opened Businesses Are Owned by Women
Nearly half of all businesses that emerged between 2020 and 2021 were founded by women, demonstrating their unwavering entrepreneurial spirit and resilience against gender biases.
Studies show that women entrepreneurs bring diverse perspectives and approaches to problem-solving, leading to innovation and advancements in various industries.
(Pay.com)
5. The US Has Witnessed a Remarkable 114% Increase in The Number of Female Entrepreneurs.
The remarkable 114% growth in female entrepreneurship in the US over the past two decades, standing as a testament to the growing empowerment and unwavering determination to eliminate barriers.
It is worth noting that women in the United States start nearly 900 businesses every single day.
That is a lot of women-owned and driven businesses we have today!
A study from the World Economic Forum revealed that the share of women hired to lead enterprises and organizations jumped from 33.3% in 2016 to an impressive 36.9% last year.
(louisazhou.com)
6. More than 35% of Female Entrepreneurs Have Personally Encountered Gender Prejudice
Despite the recent wins of women representation in the business field, more than one in three female entrepreneurs reported directly experiencing gender discrimination in their entrepreneurial journeys.
The prevalence of gender discrimination in the business world is a significant concern that hinders the growth and success of women-led businesses all over the world.
This discrimination manifests in various forms, including unequal access to funding, underestimation of abilities, disparaging remarks and harassments, and unconscious biases.
(Writers Block Live)
7. Over 90% of Businesses Worldwide Claim to Have One or More Women in Top Executive Positions
Worldwide, women are increasingly occupying top executive positions, with over 90% of businesses claiming to have at least one female leader.
The likes of Indra Nooyi of PepsiCo and Melanie Perkins of Canva are revolutionizing the way women are seen in the business field.
As more and more women occupy executive positions, societal attitudes towards women in leadership roles are seen evolving, with increasing recognition of female capabilities and the benefits that female figures bring into organizations.
Businesses are also increasingly recognizing the value of diversity and inclusion in leadership, leading to a more conscious effort to recruit, promote, and retain women in top executive roles.
(Pay.com)
8. Compared to Men, Women only Receive Loans Amounting to $39,000 on Average
On the other hand, access to funding remains a huge problem for aspiring women entrepreneurs.
While the average loan amount for women is $39,000, men, on average, receive loans worth $44,000.
The discrepancy in loan attainment is seen to reinforce existing gender biases, limiting women’s control over their finances and perpetuating inequality in economic opportunities for men and women.
(Legal Jobs)
9. Following the Launch of Their Businesses, 26% of Women Revealed that They Fee a Lot of Stress
Despite the rewards of launching your own business, the initial stages can be very demanding.
In fact, 26% of women entrepreneurs revealed that they are experiencing stress in the aftermath of launching their businesses.
Launching a business is a significant undertaking that often comes with a range of challenges and stressors.
These stressors include financial concerns, work-life balance, lack of support, and external or societal pressures.
(Legal Jobs)
10. Roughly One in Four Women Entrepreneurs Actively Seek Financing to Support Their Businesses.
Despite the remarkable surge in women-owned businesses, women continue to face obstacles in securing funding, hindering their business growth and overall economic contributions.
In fact, 25% of female entrepreneurs are actively seeking financing to support their businesses.
Compared to men, women face more difficulty in securing financing which can increase the risk of business failure among women entrepreneurs.
(Legal Jobs)
11. Nearly Six in Ten Female-Owned Businesses Are Profitable in 2022.
Despite facing various challenges, such as access to capital and gender bias, women are thriving in the business world and making significant contributions to the economy.
In fact, 59.2% of female-owned businesses are profitable in 2022.
According to Crunchbase, 15% of the 124 unicorn businesses that went public in 2021 had at least one female founder or co-founder.
(What To Become)
Conclusion
Over the past few decades, there has been a significant surge in the number of women starting businesses, and many of the brave hearts found success in the entrepreneurial space despite the long list of challenges.
As time goes, there is no doubt that the percentage of female entrepreneurs in the world will continue to rise due to the increasing penetration of female figures on previously men-dominated industries.
