GITNUXREPORT 2025

Women Entrepreneurs Statistics

Women entrepreneurs comprise 40% of global workforce, driving social and sustainable impact.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The presence of women entrepreneurs in formal economies increases GDP by approximately 4%, according to OECD estimates

Statistic 2

Women entrepreneurs are 3 times more likely to reinvest their profits into their communities

Statistic 3

Women make up approximately 40% of the global entrepreneurial workforce

Statistic 4

Women-owned businesses account for nearly 30% of all small and medium-sized enterprises globally

Statistic 5

Women entrepreneurs are 25% more likely to develop ventures in sustainability and eco-friendly products

Statistic 6

The average age of women entrepreneurs is 40 years, indicating a trend toward mature entrepreneurial activity

Statistic 7

Access to mentorship increases women entrepreneurs' success rate by 70%

Statistic 8

The total global revenue generated by women-led small and medium enterprises exceeds $5 trillion

Statistic 9

Women entrepreneurs in technology sectors have seen a 15% growth rate annually

Statistic 10

Women entrepreneurs tend to hire more women, with 40% of their workforce being female on average

Statistic 11

In the United States, women own approximately 12 million businesses, representing nearly 40% of all businesses

Statistic 12

Women entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa region are responsible for 30% of small enterprise development

Statistic 13

The percentage of women entrepreneurs who attend formal business training is 55%, which correlates with higher success rates

Statistic 14

Nearly 60% of women entrepreneurs in emerging markets operate micro or small businesses, indicating a focus on small-scale entrepreneurship

Statistic 15

Women entrepreneurs are more likely to start businesses in health and wellness sectors, with a growth rate of 12% annually

Statistic 16

Women-led ventures tend to have a higher percentage of repatriated profits, often reinvesting in local communities, with 65% doing so

Statistic 17

Female entrepreneurs utilizing co-working spaces increase their networking prospects and business growth by up to 50%

Statistic 18

60% of women entrepreneurs who participate in training programs report increased confidence and business skills

Statistic 19

Women-led enterprises grow 35% faster when they receive targeted funding and support programs

Statistic 20

The share of women entrepreneurs accessing online marketplaces increased by 20% over three years, boosting sales channels

Statistic 21

Women entrepreneurs’ participation in global trade has increased by 12% in the last decade, indicating expanding international market engagement

Statistic 22

Women entrepreneurs are twice as likely to leverage family and community networks for business growth

Statistic 23

Digital literacy programs tailored for women entrepreneurs increase business success rates by 30%

Statistic 24

The number of women entrepreneurs aged 50 and above has increased by 25% over the past decade, indicating active later-life entrepreneurship

Statistic 25

The percentage of women entrepreneurs involved in franchising is up by 15%, reflecting interest in proven business models

Statistic 26

Women entrepreneurs’ use of e-commerce platforms increased by 40% in 2022, expanding their global reach

Statistic 27

Female entrepreneurs are 1.7 times more likely to start their business in pursuit of social impact

Statistic 28

The rate of female entrepreneurship has increased by 10% over the past five years

Statistic 29

Women entrepreneurs are more likely to operate in the service sector compared to men

Statistic 30

Approximately 35% of women entrepreneurs worldwide have accessed formal financial services

Statistic 31

Gender gap in entrepreneurship persists, with male entrepreneurs being 1.5 times more likely to secure funding

Statistic 32

Women-led startups are 2 times more likely to focus on social and environmental issues

Statistic 33

In developing countries, women entrepreneurs make up 45% of all small businesses

Statistic 34

Women entrepreneurs report a 60% higher satisfaction rate with their work-life balance compared to men

Statistic 35

Approximately 23% of start-ups founded by women receive venture capital funding, compared to 77% for men

Statistic 36

The percentage of women participating in STEM entrepreneurship is increasing at an annual rate of 4%

Statistic 37

The rate of female entrepreneurship is highest in Latin America and the Caribbean, reaching up to 35% of small business owners

Statistic 38

The average startup in which women are involved registers a 20% higher rate of social impact implementation

Statistic 39

Women entrepreneurs report experience barriers such as lack of access to capital (48%), and limited networking opportunities (35%)

Statistic 40

Women entrepreneurs experience a 15% higher rate of business acceleration through mentorship programs compared to their male counterparts

Statistic 41

Women entrepreneurs are 1.3 times more likely to start environmentally sustainable businesses

Statistic 42

Female entrepreneurs’ revenue growth rate outpaces male entrepreneurs by 10% on average

Statistic 43

Women-led startups are more likely to exit through acquisition than through IPO, with a 60% higher likelihood

Statistic 44

28% of women entrepreneurs report facing cultural barriers when starting businesses in certain regions, primarily in conservative societies

Statistic 45

Women entrepreneurs are 2.5 times more likely to participate in social entrepreneurship programs than men

Statistic 46

Women entrepreneurs are more likely to start businesses in rural areas, comprising over 50% of rural startups in some regions

Statistic 47

Female entrepreneurs are more likely to focus on local markets than global markets, with 65% prioritizing local consumer needs

Statistic 48

Women entrepreneurs have higher propensity to use social media for business marketing, with 80% active on at least one platform

Statistic 49

Over 45% of women entrepreneurs in Africa have accessed digital financial services, showing increasing digital adoption

Statistic 50

In terms of innovation, women entrepreneurs are 1.4 times more likely to develop products aimed at underserved markets

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Key Highlights

Women make up approximately 40% of the global entrepreneurial workforce
Female entrepreneurs are 1.7 times more likely to start their business in pursuit of social impact
Women-owned businesses account for nearly 30% of all small and medium-sized enterprises globally
The rate of female entrepreneurship has increased by 10% over the past five years
Women entrepreneurs are more likely to operate in the service sector compared to men
Approximately 35% of women entrepreneurs worldwide have accessed formal financial services
Women entrepreneurs are 25% more likely to develop ventures in sustainability and eco-friendly products
The average age of women entrepreneurs is 40 years, indicating a trend toward mature entrepreneurial activity
Gender gap in entrepreneurship persists, with male entrepreneurs being 1.5 times more likely to secure funding
Women entrepreneurs are 3 times more likely to reinvest their profits into their communities
Women-led startups are 2 times more likely to focus on social and environmental issues
In developing countries, women entrepreneurs make up 45% of all small businesses
Women entrepreneurs are more likely to start businesses in rural areas, comprising over 50% of rural startups in some regions

Women entrepreneurs are breaking barriers and redefining the global business landscape, with women now representing nearly 40% of the entrepreneurial workforce and spearheading innovative, socially impactful ventures across every sector from health to technology.

Economic Participation and Leadership

The presence of women entrepreneurs in formal economies increases GDP by approximately 4%, according to OECD estimates

Economic Participation and Leadership Interpretation

Empowering women entrepreneurs isn't just good for equality—it's a savvy economic move that could boost global GDP by around 4%, proving that gender inclusion is indeed a number worth multiplying.

Economy and Community Development

Women entrepreneurs are 3 times more likely to reinvest their profits into their communities

Economy and Community Development Interpretation

Women entrepreneurs, investing thrice as much back into their communities, prove that profit isn't just personal—it's also a powerful catalyst for collective growth.

Entrepreneurship and Business Performance

Women make up approximately 40% of the global entrepreneurial workforce
Women-owned businesses account for nearly 30% of all small and medium-sized enterprises globally
Women entrepreneurs are 25% more likely to develop ventures in sustainability and eco-friendly products
The average age of women entrepreneurs is 40 years, indicating a trend toward mature entrepreneurial activity
Access to mentorship increases women entrepreneurs' success rate by 70%
The total global revenue generated by women-led small and medium enterprises exceeds $5 trillion
Women entrepreneurs in technology sectors have seen a 15% growth rate annually
Women entrepreneurs tend to hire more women, with 40% of their workforce being female on average
In the United States, women own approximately 12 million businesses, representing nearly 40% of all businesses
Women entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa region are responsible for 30% of small enterprise development
The percentage of women entrepreneurs who attend formal business training is 55%, which correlates with higher success rates
Nearly 60% of women entrepreneurs in emerging markets operate micro or small businesses, indicating a focus on small-scale entrepreneurship
Women entrepreneurs are more likely to start businesses in health and wellness sectors, with a growth rate of 12% annually
Women-led ventures tend to have a higher percentage of repatriated profits, often reinvesting in local communities, with 65% doing so
Female entrepreneurs utilizing co-working spaces increase their networking prospects and business growth by up to 50%
60% of women entrepreneurs who participate in training programs report increased confidence and business skills
Women-led enterprises grow 35% faster when they receive targeted funding and support programs
The share of women entrepreneurs accessing online marketplaces increased by 20% over three years, boosting sales channels
Women entrepreneurs’ participation in global trade has increased by 12% in the last decade, indicating expanding international market engagement
Women entrepreneurs are twice as likely to leverage family and community networks for business growth
Digital literacy programs tailored for women entrepreneurs increase business success rates by 30%
The number of women entrepreneurs aged 50 and above has increased by 25% over the past decade, indicating active later-life entrepreneurship
The percentage of women entrepreneurs involved in franchising is up by 15%, reflecting interest in proven business models
Women entrepreneurs’ use of e-commerce platforms increased by 40% in 2022, expanding their global reach

Entrepreneurship and Business Performance Interpretation

Women, comprising 40% of the global entrepreneurial workforce and generating over $5 trillion in revenue, are not only breaking glass ceilings but also creating sustainable, innovative, and community-centered businesses at a remarkable pace—proof that in the world of entrepreneurship, women are not just participants but increasingly the driving force.

Gender Gaps and Disparities

Female entrepreneurs are 1.7 times more likely to start their business in pursuit of social impact
The rate of female entrepreneurship has increased by 10% over the past five years
Women entrepreneurs are more likely to operate in the service sector compared to men
Approximately 35% of women entrepreneurs worldwide have accessed formal financial services
Gender gap in entrepreneurship persists, with male entrepreneurs being 1.5 times more likely to secure funding
Women-led startups are 2 times more likely to focus on social and environmental issues
In developing countries, women entrepreneurs make up 45% of all small businesses
Women entrepreneurs report a 60% higher satisfaction rate with their work-life balance compared to men
Approximately 23% of start-ups founded by women receive venture capital funding, compared to 77% for men
The percentage of women participating in STEM entrepreneurship is increasing at an annual rate of 4%
The rate of female entrepreneurship is highest in Latin America and the Caribbean, reaching up to 35% of small business owners
The average startup in which women are involved registers a 20% higher rate of social impact implementation
Women entrepreneurs report experience barriers such as lack of access to capital (48%), and limited networking opportunities (35%)
Women entrepreneurs experience a 15% higher rate of business acceleration through mentorship programs compared to their male counterparts
Women entrepreneurs are 1.3 times more likely to start environmentally sustainable businesses
Female entrepreneurs’ revenue growth rate outpaces male entrepreneurs by 10% on average
Women-led startups are more likely to exit through acquisition than through IPO, with a 60% higher likelihood
28% of women entrepreneurs report facing cultural barriers when starting businesses in certain regions, primarily in conservative societies
Women entrepreneurs are 2.5 times more likely to participate in social entrepreneurship programs than men

Gender Gaps and Disparities Interpretation

Despite making strides in social impact and satisfaction, women entrepreneurs still navigate a gender funding gap and cultural barriers, proving that while they lead the charge in sustainable and socially conscious ventures, inequality in finance and access remains a significant hurdle to true entrepreneurial equality.

Geographical and Sectoral Variations

Women entrepreneurs are more likely to start businesses in rural areas, comprising over 50% of rural startups in some regions
Female entrepreneurs are more likely to focus on local markets than global markets, with 65% prioritizing local consumer needs

Geographical and Sectoral Variations Interpretation

Women entrepreneurs, wielding a predominantly rural and locally focused approach, are quietly reshaping economic landscapes by over half of rural startups in certain regions and signaling a pivotal shift toward community-centered innovation.

Technology, Innovation, and Digital Engagement

Women entrepreneurs have higher propensity to use social media for business marketing, with 80% active on at least one platform
Over 45% of women entrepreneurs in Africa have accessed digital financial services, showing increasing digital adoption
In terms of innovation, women entrepreneurs are 1.4 times more likely to develop products aimed at underserved markets

Technology, Innovation, and Digital Engagement Interpretation

Women entrepreneurs are not only mostly leveraging social media to amplify their businesses but are also pioneering innovative solutions and digital financial access—proving that in the realm of business, their digital and creative strides are reshaping markets and closing gaps, one platform at a time.