shows the level of favorability of the business and social environment
for the development of women's entrepreneurship in Russia

The Women Business Index (WBI) measures how favorable the business and social environment
is for women entrepreneurs, including:

• economic conditions and infrastructure (ecosystem);
• personal qualities and talents.

The project has been underway since 2015.
The research was initiated and is funded by Nadiya Cherkasova,
leader of the We Women OPORA community of women entrepreneurs.
The methodology and assessment studies are developed and conducted in collaboration with leading
analytical agencies: Magram Market Research in 2015 and the NAFI Analytical Center from 2016 onwards.

Project News

11th wave of WBI - 2024-2025

Index – 78.5
The Women’s Business Activity Index (WBI) reached a record high of 78.5 points following the 11th wave.
This is 0.8 points higher than the 10th wave (2023).

• 89% of Russian women have a positive perception of female entrepreneurs

and consider them inspiring business role models.

• 71% of active female entrepreneurs reported that over the past two years they had pursued

additional business education, completed business courses, or regularly used educational content.
They noted that the knowledge gained strengthens the resilience of their businesses.

10th wave of WBI - 2023

Index - 73.7

• 54% of women who are not entrepreneurs note an improvement in society’s attitude towards doing business
• 65% of women believe that entrepreneurship will allow them to achieve financial well-being, absence of bosses and self-realization
• 64% of women find it difficult to open their own business due to lack of financial opportunities (start-up capital)

Education:

• 61% of surveyed women entrepreneurs received additional education
• in the last 6 months

Business communities:

• 59% noted the positive role of business communities, both for business promotion,
• and for the development of personal professional trajectory
• 73% of respondents noted the motivational role of thematic women’s business forums

9th wave of WBI - 2022

Index - 69.8

• 41% of women who are not entrepreneurs note an improvement in society’s attitude towards doing business
• 66% of women believe that entrepreneurship will allow them to achieve financial well-being, absence of bosses and self-realization
• 74% of women find it difficult to open their own business due to lack of financial opportunities (start-up capital)

Education:

• 43% of surveyed women entrepreneurs received additional education in the last 6 months

Sanctions:

• 52% felt a negative effect on their business from the introduction of foreign sanctions
• 38% do not feel the impact of sanctions on their business

WBI wave 8 - 2021

Index - 71.1

• 51% of women who are not entrepreneurs note an improvement in society’s attitude towards doing business
• 96% of women believe that entrepreneurship will allow them to achieve financial well-being, absence of bosses and self-realization
• 94% of women find it difficult to open their own business due to lack of financial opportunities (start-up capital)

Education:

• 42% of surveyed women entrepreneurs received additional education in the last 6 months

Pandemic:

• 39% are focused on further developing their business, despite the difficult economic situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are confident that the company's turnover will increase in the next 6 months
• 44% believe that in order to increase business efficiency in the coming year, it is necessary to expand the company’s activities or change its scope

7th wave of WBI – 2020

Index - 60.1

• 33% of women note an improvement in society’s attitude towards doing business
• 94% of women believe that entrepreneurship will allow them to achieve financial well-being, absence of bosses and self-realization
• 93% of women find it difficult to open their own business due to lack of financial opportunities (start-up capital)

Education:

• 58% of surveyed women entrepreneurs received additional education in the last 6 months

Pandemic:

• 93% are focused on further developing their business, despite the difficult economic situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
• 46% believe that it will take their business less than 1 year to fully recover post-crisis

6th wave of WBI – 2019

Index - 69.4

• 43% of women note an improvement in society’s attitude towards doing business
• 94% of women believe that entrepreneurship will allow them to achieve financial well-being, absence of bosses and self-realization
• 88% of women find it difficult to open their own business due to lack of financial opportunities (start-up capital)

Education:

• 50% of surveyed women entrepreneurs received additional education in the last 6 months

Digital Readiness Index - 40

• 53% use the Internet in business processes
• 37% integrate existing digital technologies into their business
• 47% pay sufficient attention to information security

5th wave of WBI – 2018

Index - 69.4

• 67% of women who are not entrepreneurs are considering starting their own business.
• 63% of women entrepreneurs noted an improvement in the availability of business education
• 38% have attracted additional financial resources for business development over the past 6 months

Education:

• 56% of entrepreneurs noted an improvement in their professional skills
• 32% noted positive dynamics in their personal/family life (hobbies, sports, interests, travel)

Digital Readiness Index - 45

• 12% sent their employees for IT training
• 40% do not have a company website, 47% do not have company pages on social networks
• 27% conduct document flow entirely in paper form

4th wave of WBI – 2017

In 2017, a study of the women's business activity index was carried out with the participation of the general partner of PJSC Bank URALSIB.

Index - 69

• 73% of Russian women have a positive attitude towards women's entrepreneurship
• 53% of respondents are confident in the support of loved ones
• 49% believe that public opinion towards women's entrepreneurship has improved

Areas of activity:

• 52% service sector
• 36% trading activity
• 11% manufacturing activity

Motivation:

• 22% desire to implement their idea
• 21% earning more income than from being employed

Barriers:

• 33% of women do not start their own business due to lack of finances to start
• 16% lack of self-confidence
• 10% lack of knowledge and experience

3rd wave of WBI – 2nd half of 2016

Index - 59

• 42% noted positive changes in attitudes towards entrepreneurs, including women’s self-employment
• 33% of women believe they will earn more income if they start their own business
• 27% of women's businesses are export-oriented

Motivation:

• 33% earning more income than from being employed
• 32% desire to implement their idea

Barriers:

• 34% of women do not start their own business due to lack of finances to start
• 49% of entrepreneurs noted a drop in company turnover

2nd wave of WBI – 1st half of 2016

Index - 56.8

• The social environment is favorable for the development of women's entrepreneurship
• 37% of women want to realize themselves in the field of social entrepreneurship
• 33% of women's businesses are export-oriented

Motivation:

• 53% - receiving more income than from paid work
• 49% - self-realization and self-development

Barriers:

• 65% - lack of financial resources
• 48% - lack of business education

st wave of WBI – 2nd half of 2015
Nadiya Cherkasova, member of the Presidium of OPORA RUSSIA, Chairman of the Committee for the Development of Women's Entrepreneurship:

“The WBI index shows what is needed for women’s entrepreneurship in our country to gain widespread development. After all, women do types of business that, as a rule, are not interesting to men. These are socially significant types of business that help develop the economy.

It is very important that women entrepreneurs focus on areas such as education, healthcare and raising the younger generation. Today we are faced with the task of further involving women in small and medium-sized businesses. The main thing here seems to me to be the introduction of business education, leadership development and advanced training programs and the combination of these programs with financing instruments.”

Index - 55.9

• 96% of women in Russia have a positive attitude towards entrepreneurship
• 84% of women are ready to start their own business

Motivation:

• 51% - material factor
• 42% - desire to benefit society, realize their idea

Barriers:

• 57% - lack of financial opportunities
• 52% - lack of knowledge and competencies