TOP STORIES

Sweden lacks women entrepreneurs

When it comes to the proportion of women running businesses, Sweden is lagging behind most EU countries, with only just over one-quarter of entrepreneurs being women. This is in contrast to the EU average, which stands at over 33 percent. While Sweden prides itself on gender equality, there are various reasons for this disparity.

According to Pernilla Norlin, the social policy manager at Företagarna, many women in Sweden prefer employment over entrepreneurship, and there might be a lack of female role models in the entrepreneurial space. Additionally, women often gravitate towards industries with lower margins, such as HR and consumer-oriented services, while larger capital tends to flow towards technology-intensive sectors.

Educational choices also play a significant role in women's entrepreneurship. Those with certain vocational educations, like nursing assistants, might face more challenges in starting their own businesses. However, Norlin emphasizes that entrepreneurship in welfare sectors should not be underestimated, as the demand for healthcare services remains strong.

Despite the lower proportion of women starting businesses, data shows that companies run by women are less likely to go bankrupt. This might be attributed to women being generally less risk-prone than men, leading to more stable business operations.

Read more:

DN: Fewer women than men run their own businesses.