In 2025, women established more than 12,700 new companies in Ukraine, representing approximately 34% of all new businesses. The highest concentration of female-led companies was reported in Mykolaiv Oblast, where over 42% of new enterprises were founded by women.
This data was released by the analytics firm OpenDataBot. Other regions showing significant female leadership in new companies include Chernihiv Oblast at 38%, and Zaporizhzhia and Kirovohrad Oblasts, both at 37%. In contrast, the lowest percentages of female directors were found in Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk Oblasts (30% each), followed by Khmelnytskyi (32%), and Zhytomyr and Rivne Oblasts (33% each).
Kyiv leads in the absolute number of women directors, with over 12,000 companies under female leadership. The wholesale trade sector has the highest number of female-led businesses, with more than 5,000 companies, accounting for 15% of the total. Other notable sectors include non-profit organizations, real estate, IT, and construction.
Women directors are particularly prevalent in fields such as tourism, creative industries, social assistance, law, accounting, and both wholesale and retail trade. However, sectors such as security services, financial services, insurance, metallurgy, telecommunications, and civil engineering see the least representation of female leaders.
Despite these disparities, there is a noted increase in the number of women directors in IT, computer manufacturing, and machinery production, indicating a gradual shift in traditionally male-dominated industries.
The rise of female entrepreneurship in Ukraine is evident as women established over 12,700 new companies in 2025, with significant leadership in various sectors. While challenges remain in certain industries, the trend indicates a growing presence of women in business leadership roles.