Women's Growing Role in Ukrainian Business
In 2025, women founded and led more than a third of all new companies registered in Ukraine. According to the Unified State Register, businesswomen were appointed as directors of 12,757 new enterprises, accounting for 34% of all new business ventures. The highest proportion of female-led startups was recorded in the Mykolaiv region, where women head 42% of new companies.
Kyiv registered the highest absolute number of companies with female directors—12,290. Meanwhile, the Ivano-Frankivsk region saw a 27% annual increase in the number of new businesses under women's leadership. Across Ukraine, nearly 1.5 million companies are registered, with women leading 455,298 (32%) of them. This trend reflects a broader shift in the post-war economic landscape, where women are increasingly driving entrepreneurial recovery.
Key Sectors for Female-Led Enterprises
Wholesale trade is the most popular sector for women launching businesses, with 5,429 new companies (15% of the total). Other leading industries for female entrepreneurs include:
- Public organizations
- Real estate
- Information Technology (IT)
- Construction
Sectors with the most pronounced gender balance in favor of women are travel agencies, where 61% of directors are female, followed by creative arts, hospitality (HoReCa), and employment services.
Notably, some traditionally male-dominated fields are experiencing the fastest growth in female leadership. The share of women directors surged by 76% in computer manufacturing, 72% in IT, and 44% in machinery production. These figures point to a significant transformation within Ukraine's business environment, where women are securing more leadership roles than ever before.
The rising number of women leading new companies signals a shift in Ukraine's business culture, with gender equality becoming an increasingly important factor.
This trend not only highlights improving conditions for women in entrepreneurship but may also stimulate economic development through diverse management approaches. The expanding presence of women in sectors like IT and manufacturing could further drive innovation and change in these industries.