In the European Union only 34% of people running economic activity are women.

Omissions

• The exact figure according to official sources is 34.4% rather than 34%, which represents standard rounding.
• The data period for this statistic is typically around 2018-2020; more recent data up to April 2026 may show slight variations.
• The European Commission's WEgate platform and Eurostat data indicate this figure represents self-employed persons in the EU.

Sources

• PrimaryWEgate (European Commission) - Women entrepreneurship facts and figuresWomen make up 52% of the total European population but only 34.4% of the European Union (EU) self-employed and 30% of start-up entrepreneurs.
• SecondaryEuropean Parliament - Report on women's entrepreneurship in rural and island areasWomen make up 52% of the European population and represent 34.4% of the self-employed in the EU, and only 30% of start-ups are created by women.
• SecondaryUN Women - Investment with a Gender Lens in EuropeWomen constitute only 34.4% of the self-employed and 30% of start-up entrepreneurs (European Commission, 2018).