A new global study from The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) reports that women entrepreneurs are a key contributor to economic growth in low/middle income countries, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Among the findings:
- There is no gender difference in the survival rate of women's businesses versus those of men in high-income countries.
- Women who are employed and have built a social network of entrepreneurs are more likely to become entrepreneurs. The social and economic benefits of working are driving women's entrepreneurship more than increased education or household income.
- Women tend to be less optimistic and self-confident than men about starting a business. But once involved in entrepreneurial activity, women's confidence builds, and they are more likely to know other entrepreneurs, and exploit viable opportunities just like their male counterparts. Given difference in how various cultures around the globe view economic independence among women, the initial lack of confidence is not surprising. The good news is that once they take the entrepreneurial plunge, they gain confidence. Entrepreneurship has not only economic implications, but social implications for women as well.
- Fear of failure is also higher for women in all country groups compared to their male counterparts. Women in Europe and Asia low/middle income countries had the highest fear of failure rates (40.3%) compared to women in Latin America and the Caribbean (34.2%), and women in high-income countries (27.1%).
A good way to help women entrepreneurs is to join with those of us who give micro-loans through Kiva. I just made eight micro-loans to aspiring women entrepreneurs around the globe.
