Record Growth in Women-led Small Businesses Marks 2025 in Brazil

In 2025, Brazil witnessed a historic surge in women-led small businesses, with over 2 million female microentrepreneurs (MEIs) and small business owners driving a new record in entrepreneurship. This group represented approximately 42% of all new businesses in the country, according to a Sebrae survey based on Receita Federal data. Brazil registered a total of 4.96 million new enterprises, 96% of which were small businesses.

This marked an increase of more than 320,000 new female-led businesses compared to 2024. Among the new enterprises, microentrepreneurs led by women accounted for 1.6 million new CNPJs, making up 42% of all MEIs created that year.

Despite this significant growth, gender disparities persist, particularly as business size increases. Women’s participation falls to 39% in micro and small enterprises, highlighting the ongoing challenge of gender inequality in Brazilian entrepreneurship.

Sectoral data illustrates women’s strong presence in industry (45%), services (44%), and commerce (43%), while construction showed the lowest female representation at just 11%. Regional differences were also notable, with Rio de Janeiro leading in female entrepreneurial activity at 44%, closely followed by Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo, each at 43%.

Sebrae President Décio Lima emphasized the need for supportive public policies to further empower women entrepreneurs. He highlighted the Fampe Mulher program, which offers up to 100% loan guarantees to women-led businesses, reinforcing financial support to eliminate barriers facing women entrepreneurs.

This trend underscores women’s growing influence in Brazil's small business landscape and marks significant progress, while also pointing to areas requiring continued policy focus and social change to achieve greater gender equality in business leadership.