A marked increase in the number of self-employed women
Between 2011 and 2016, the number of self-employed women under the age of 65 rose by 16% in Brussels, a rate comparable to that in other regions and slightly higher than that for self-employed men in Brussels. The number of women starting a business, meanwhile, rose by 23%, with 4,266 new female entrepreneurs in 2016.
A unique profile in Brussels
Female entrepreneurs in Brussels are characterised by a higher proportion of women of foreign nationality and the fact they are highly concentrated in the liberal and intellectual professions. They are also more likely to have a higher education qualification, which confirms the link between a high level of education and self-employment among women.
Persistent disparities, but areas for action
Despite this positive trend, there are still significantly fewer women than men among self-employed people in Brussels, and they earn lower incomes. Regional initiatives and projects led by Women in Business, which forms part of 1819, therefore play an important role in supporting, raising the profile of and developing female entrepreneurship in Brussels.
Full report available in French.
