WOMEN'S BUSINESS IN SWEDEN challenges and opportunities

In 2023, women in Sweden started only half as many companies as men, which places the country in the bottom league within the EU when it comes to the percentage of women who run their own companies. While the EU average for female entrepreneurs is over 33 percent, only a quarter of Sweden's entrepreneurs are women. Only four other EU countries - Slovakia, Ireland, Malta and Romania - have a lower percentage (Eurostat).

According to the statistics, only 12 percent of company managers in Swedish limited companies are women. Many women choose employment over entrepreneurship, partly due to a lack of female role models and insufficient visibility. In addition, only 0.5 percent of Swedish venture capital goes to companies founded by women, and fewer women than men use loans to finance the start-up and growth of their companies.

Despite these challenges, research from the Agency for Growth shows that women's entrepreneurship contributes significantly to the Swedish economy. In 2006, female-owned companies employed almost 420,000 people, 70 percent of whom were women, and paid out SEK 91 billion in wages. They generated over 110 billion kroner in taxes, which includes corporation tax, personal charges and VAT. Although men's companies generally had higher turnover, it is important to note that the average number of employees per company is almost identical for both men and women, indicating comparable structures in size ranges.

In 2023, women in Sweden started only half as many companies as men, which places the country in the bottom league within the EU when it comes to the percentage of women who run their own companies. While the EU average for female entrepreneurs is over 33 percent, only a quarter of Sweden's entrepreneurs are women. Only four other EU countries - Slovakia, Ireland, Malta and Romania - have a lower percentage (Eurostat).

According to the statistics, only 12 percent of company managers in Swedish limited companies are women. Many women choose employment over entrepreneurship, partly due to a lack of female role models and insufficient visibility. In addition, only 0.5 percent of Swedish venture capital goes to companies founded by women, and fewer women than men use loans to finance the start-up and growth of their companies.

Despite these challenges, research from the Agency for Growth shows that women's entrepreneurship contributes significantly to the Swedish economy. In 2006, female-owned companies employed almost 420,000 people, 70 percent of whom were women, and paid out SEK 91 billion in wages. They generated over 110 billion kroner in taxes, which includes corporation tax, personal charges and VAT. Although men's companies generally had higher turnover, it is important to note that the average number of employees per company is almost identical for both men and women, indicating comparable structures in size ranges.

In order to increase the proportion of female entrepreneurs in Sweden, the organization Företagarna has proposed several measures. They suggest that entrepreneurship should permeate the entire education system and that there should be clear links between fees and benefits in the security systems for entrepreneurs. In addition, it is proposed that SGI (sickness benefit qualifying income) should be able to be calculated on previous income and that the first million in income should be tax-free.

WOICE'S REFLECTIONS

It is clear that Sweden has great potential to unleash when it comes to women's entrepreneurship. The economic and social benefits of more women starting and running businesses are significant, but efforts are needed to overcome the structural barriers that exist. Strengthening women's presence in business would not only benefit the Swedish economy, but also promote gender equality and self-determination. Initiatives such as the Entrepreneurs' proposal can play an important role in creating a more favorable climate for female entrepreneurs, and it is crucial that these measures are implemented effectively.