The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) in South Korea published the results of the 2025 Women-Owned Business Survey, aiming to inform and refine policies supporting female entrepreneurs. This annual, nationally approved survey collects comprehensive data on women-led companies, including financial performance, management activities, and challenges faced. The survey serves as a critical reference for developing targeted support programs and is part of ongoing efforts to boost the competitiveness and sustainability of women-owned businesses. The 2025 edition highlights both progress and areas needing further policy attention.
The survey covered 276,959 companies led by women, as classified under the Korean Standard Industrial Classification (KSIC), focusing on firms with sales above KRW 500 million (KRW 300 million for certain sectors). Key findings include a 15.0% increase in average sales per company (KRW 2.27 billion), a 9.3% rise in average net profit (KRW 80 million), and improved productivity and financial structure. Women-owned businesses also reported higher R&D investment (up 34.9%) and export volumes (up 11.9%), with an average workforce of 8.3 employees split equally by gender.
The survey was conducted based on data as of December 31, 2024, with fieldwork scheduled from July to October 2025. Results indicate that women entrepreneurs perceive strengths in attention to detail but cite challenges such as risk-taking and work-life balance. Policy needs are most acute in tax support (37.2%), funding (29.1%), and workforce assistance (14.5%), with funding support rated as most effective (91.7%). The MSS plans to use these insights to adjust support policies, redesign survey questions, and enhance the effectiveness of future programs.
Frequently asked questions include: What are the main strengths and weaknesses identified by women entrepreneurs? The survey found ‘attention to detail’ as a key strength (56.0%) and ‘risk-taking’ as the main weakness (36.5%). What new initiatives are planned? The MSS will launch a FemTech support program to foster women-led innovation in AI and bio sectors, and expand specialized education and support through 18 women-focused startup incubators nationwide. These actions aim to address identified challenges and promote sustainable growth for women-owned businesses.
The 2025 Women-Owned Business Survey reveals substantial improvements in sales, profits, and investment among South Korean women-led companies. The identification of specific policy needs, such as tax and funding support, highlights areas where targeted intervention can drive further growth. The planned FemTech initiatives and expanded educational programs are well-aligned with the evolving needs of female entrepreneurs. These data-driven actions are likely to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of women-owned businesses, provided that ongoing feedback and policy adjustments continue.