Scoping Study on Gender Differences in Enterprise Surveys

Abstract

The aim of this scoping study is to support DFID and partner efforts to enhance overall business performance in low income and emerging countries through contributing to the efficacy of business environment reform (BER) efforts. Existing evidence suggests important gender differences in formal enterprises. In the vast majority of countries surveyed, women’s businesses are fewer in number, smaller in size and concentrated in less capital and asset intensive sectors, compared to men’s businesses. In some regions, they are also weaker in certain dimensions of performance. This research is part of the Business Environment for Economic Development programme