The UK has 1.6 million women entrepreneurs that are self employed
The money.co.uk business loans team has taken a deep dive into data to reveal the state of women’s entrepreneurship in the UK, from the number of self-employed women to the UK’s women in business hotspots.
Key research findings:
- There are currently around 1.6 million self-employed women in the UK, which accounts for about 1 in 10 women.
- The South West region has the highest percentage of self-employed women at 12.6%.
- The industries with the most women leaders include health, well-being, and social care, with 40.4% of its 210,557 companies being women-led.
- On average, women-led companies have assets of $128bn, compared to those led by men, which have average assets of $55bn.
- According to a UK survey, 64% of women have considered starting their own businesses, highlighting a robust entrepreneurial spirit.
The UK regions that have the most self-employed women:
| Rank | Region | Total women in work | Women in work who are self-employed | Women in work who are self-employed (%) |
| 1 | South West | 1,333,300 | 168,100 | 12.6% |
| 2 | London | 2,236,100 | 277,700 | 12.4% |
| 3 | South East | 2,197,400 | 249,100 | 11.3% |
| 4 | East | 1,498,000 | 150,500 | 10.0% |
| 5 | West Midlands | 1,325,300 | 129,500 | 9.8% |
| 6 | North East | 578,300 | 48,100 | 8.3% |
| 6 | Scotland | 1,315,300 | 109,000 | 8.3% |
| 8 | Wales | 696,700 | 57,300 | 8.2% |
| 8 | North West | 1,640,200 | 133,700 | 8.2% |
| 10 | East Midlands | 1,101,300 | 81,800 | 7.4% |
| 10 | Yorkshire and The Humber | 1,242,000 | 92,000 | 7.4% |
- The South West tops the chart, with 12.6% of women in work being self-employed. This is a total of 168,100 self-employed women out of 1,333,300 women in employment.
- London comes in second place with 277,700 self-employed women, representing 12.4% of the 2,236,100 women in work in the city.
The research also revealed the industries which have the most self-employed women:
| Rank | Industry | Total women in work | Self-employed women | Self-employed women (%) |
| 1 | Building Finishing Trades | 4,200 | 4,100 | 97.6% |
| 2 | Bed and Breakfast and Guest House Owners and Proprietors | 5,700 | 4,700 | 82.5% |
| 3 | Agricultural and Related Trades | 56,100 | 42,800 | 76.3% |
| 4 | Managers and Proprietors in Agriculture Related Services | 10,200 | 7,200 | 70.6% |
| 5 | Textiles and Garments Trades | 22,000 | 15,100 | 68.6% |
| 6 | Artistic, Literary and Media Occupations | 189,000 | 123,100 | 65.1% |
| 7 | Metal Forming, Welding and Related Trades | 1,900 | 1,200 | 63.2% |
| 8 | Hairdressers and Related Services | 191,300 | 117,000 | 61.2% |
| 9 | Other Skilled Trades | 41,100 | 24,000 | 58.4% |
| 10 | Animal Care and Control Services | 82,900 | 47,300 | 57.1% |
- The industry with the highest percentage of self-employed women is building finishing trades, with 97.6%. This sector within the construction industry includes roles such as plasterers, painters and decorators, tilers, carpet layers, and glaziers.
- In second place are those who own and run B&Bs and guest houses, with 82.5% of women in these fields being self-employed. The flexibility that comes with these businesses means they lend themselves to self-employment.
