In 2023, female entrepreneurship in Russia continued to grow, with the number of women skipping into business rising by 27% and women accounting for about a third of those who insure their ventures under the small business program. This shift was reported to socialbites.ca with reference to a study conducted by SberStrakhovanie and Delovaya Sreda, drawing on their internal datasets. [Source: SberStrakhovanie; Delovaya Sreda study, 2023]
Observations indicate that the bulk of new business activity is driven by women under 35, a group that represents 43% of all entrepreneurs. The data also highlight regional nuances. In the Udmurt Republic, young women are particularly active, with nearly one in five launching a business before turning 25. Conversely, in the Republic of Dagestan, a notable share of women starting ventures are over 56, comprising about one-fifth of the region’s entrepreneurial population. Aleksey Grishchenko, general director of Delovaya Sreda JSC, commented on these age patterns and regional dynamics, underscoring how age and geography shape the landscape of women’s business activity. [Source: SberStrakhovanie; Delovaya Sreda study, 2023]
The research also maps where entrepreneurial interest is strongest. The Republic of Tatarstan tops the list with 52% of respondents expressing interest in starting a business, closely followed by the Moscow region at 32% and the city of St. Petersburg. There were notable upticks in activity among residents of St. Petersburg, with interest rising to 28%. The data reveal that Moscow, the Moscow region, Krasnodar Territory, St. Petersburg, and the Rostov Region show high levels of female-led enterprise creation. [Source: SberStrakhovanie; Delovaya Sreda study, 2023]
Across sectors, the research indicates a preference among Russian entrepreneurs for retail and wholesale trade, real estate transactions, personal services, and both passenger and freight transportation. These sectors appear to attract women entrepreneurs at various stages of their business journeys, reflecting a mix of consumer-facing opportunities and service-oriented models. [Source: SberStrakhovanie; Delovaya Sreda study, 2023]
Overall, the study paints a picture of a growing female entrepreneurial presence across Russia, with a strong emphasis on younger age groups in certain regions and a broad spread of sectoral interests. The findings offer policymakers and business support networks a clearer view of where to focus training, financing, and mentorship programs to sustain and accelerate this trend. [Source: SberStrakhovanie; Delovaya Sreda study, 2023]
Note: The insights are based on internal data from SberStrakhovanie and Delovaya Sreda and reflect patterns observed during the 2023 period. They contribute to a broader understanding of how women are shaping small business dynamics across different regions in Russia and highlight opportunities for continued growth and support. [Source: SberStrakhovanie; Delovaya Sreda study, 2023]