Women-led Businesses in Brazil Show Lower Delinquency and Strong Financial Management

A recent study by Serasa Experian highlights that businesses led by women in Brazil exhibit lower delinquency rates and better financial management compared to male-led firms. According to the 5th PME Panorama Bulletin, only 16% of female-led organizations have outstanding delinquency records, versus 20% for male-led companies, marking a notable 20% reduction in financial delinquencies.

This analysis is based on data from 23 million active Brazilian companies, revealing that 42% of businesses with female partners fall into an intermediate credit score range (400-600), slightly higher than the 38% observed in male-led firms. Female-led companies are generally younger and smaller, with 58% classified as microenterprises employing up to 10 people, compared to 53% of male-led microenterprises. Despite these differences, business longevity is similar between genders, with longevity scores of 4.6 for female-led and 4.8 for male-led businesses.

Mariana Figueiredo, Serasa Experian's director for SME products and technology, noted that healthier financial scores enhance business credibility and access to better financing, underlying women's preventive and careful resource management approaches.

The study also points out sector distribution, with nearly half (48%) of female-led firms engaged in commerce, slightly higher than the 45% for male-led counterparts. While overall revenues tend to be lower for women-led enterprises, typically under R$300,000 annually, the financial stability and credit behavior remain strong.