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Examining the challenges of migrant women entrepreneurs in the EU: Mind the gaps!

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Despite growing evidence that immigrant entrepreneurship is male-dominated and the gender gap in entrepreneurship is widening, our understanding of the factors driving this disparity remains limited. Existing research primarily focuses on micro-level determinants such as individual characteristics and firm-specific factors, with insufficient systematic analysis of the macroeconomic influences shaping the gender gap in immigrant entrepreneurship. This paper addresses this gap by investigating the determinants of the gender gap in immigrant entrepreneurship within the European Union (EU) from 2006 to 2022, utilizing a comprehensive analysis of macroeconomic statistics. The study finds that while the overall share of immigrant entrepreneurs in the EU has nearly doubled over the past decade, significant disparities persist across member states. The analysis identifies key variables influencing the gender gap in immigrant entrepreneurship, including the unemployment rate of foreign-born females, regulatory framework, civil gender liberties, tertiary education, GDP per capita, and the gender pay gap.

Source: Journal on Ethnopolitics and Minority Issues in Europe

DOI: 10.53779/vvrb1903

Authors: Valentina Vučković, Vlatka Škokić, Ružica Šimić Banović

Institutions: University of Zagreb, INTI International University, University of Split

Language: English

Topic: Migration, Ethnicity, and Economy

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Reduced inequalities, Gender equality

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4408958880

FWCI: 1.844

Cites:

Cited by: 1

Related to: 10