Mexico stands out in female entrepreneurship

Mexico ranks 11th out of 49 countries with the highest number of women entrepreneurs, surpassing even the United States.

Our country has established itself as one of the main countries with a favorable ecosystem for female entrepreneurship, ranking 11th out of 49 economies worldwide, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2023/2024.

With 16.1% of its female population involved in the creation of new businesses, Mexico has surpassed countries such as the United States, which ranks 15th.

Latin America stands out as the region with the highest female entrepreneurial activity, with Ecuador, Chile and Guatemala being the leading countries with more than 28% of female entrepreneurs.

The fact that Mexico is one of the leading countries in this field represents a significant strength for its economy. Women entrepreneurs contribute to market diversification, bring new ideas and foster innovation, especially in sectors where they have historically had less presence.

The increase in female participation boosts social and economic inclusion, which strengthens the country's business fabric. This positive trend is an opportunity to promote public policies that further support women's entrepreneurship and facilitate their transition from emerging businesses to consolidated companies. Implementing programs that improve access to financing, training and support networks can enhance the capacity of these women to generate employment and increase Mexico's competitiveness in the international arena.

However, the report also reveals important weaknesses.

Although many women in Mexico decide to become entrepreneurs, most do so informally.

According to the Radiografía del Emprendimiento en México, 22% of the companies led by women lack a legal status, which limits access to financing, broader markets and growth opportunities.

This reality is also linked to cultural and structural factors. Women entrepreneurs face barriers such as lack of family support, difficulties in accessing capital and the pressure of balancing family responsibilities with the management of their businesses. These circumstances hinder their ability to formalize and grow, affecting the long-term sustainability of their projects.

Fear of failure is another factor hindering the advancement of female entrepreneurship. In economies such as Mexico's, many women are constrained by the fear that their businesses will not prosper. Two out of every five adults who identify business opportunities decide not to start a business because of this fear, a trend that is more pronounced among women. This reflects a structural weakness related not only to access to resources, but also to the social and cultural environment in which they operate.

Despite these challenges, Mexico has a key opportunity in strengthening the female entrepreneurial ecosystem. The demand for policies that promote equal access to financial resources, public contracts and markets is evident. In addition, improving social infrastructure through services such as affordable childcare, eldercare programs and other facilities that allow women entrepreneurs to dedicate more time to their businesses could transform the current reality. These measures would not only directly benefit women entrepreneurs, but would also boost the economy as a whole, strengthening the role of women in key sectors and creating a more inclusive environment.

The threats to this growth are also clear. Mexico faces significant barriers due to its position within a low-income economy, which affects the stability and viability of emerging businesses.

The GEM points out that economies such as Mexico, Puerto Rico and Uruguay have the highest dropout rates of women in entrepreneurship, due in part to the lack of an enabling environment to consolidate their projects. If structural measures are not implemented to address this reality, Mexico runs the risk that many women entrepreneurs will not be able to make the transition from the start-up phase to business consolidation.

Internationally, competition for attracting investment and resources for entrepreneurship is high. More developed economies that have advanced in the implementation of inclusive policies and access to financing represent a competitive threat to Mexico. The lack of actions to reduce gender inequality in access to business opportunities could affect its long-term positioning.

Mexico has made significant progress in strengthening the female entrepreneurial ecosystem, a trend that reflects both the country's strengths and the growing participation of women in the global economy. However, to consolidate this progress and turn it into an engine of growth, it is essential to address the weaknesses and threats faced by women entrepreneurs, while taking advantage of the opportunities arising from a context of social and economic transformation. Only in this way will it be possible to ensure that more women succeed in making the transition to sustainable and consolidated businesses, contributing to Mexico's economic development and its competitiveness in the global marketplace.

Collaboration: Editorial Auge.