On the occasion of International Women’s Day, France Active and the French Banking Federation reveal the results of the 2026 barometer on female entrepreneurship from OpinionWay « Women and business creation “.
From the outset, the observation is clear: the desire to undertake is growing among womenbut the obstacles – economic, psychological and family – remain powerful.
For the media Business O Femininedeciphering a paradox which questions our economic and social model.
24% of women want to start a business: a dynamic driven by meaning
Concretely, in 2026, 1 in 4 women (24%) plan to start their own businessan increase of +3 points. Even more significant, among those under 60, this proportion rises to 32%.
In reality, this dynamic reflects a profound transformation of the relationship to work:
- 56% want give meaning to their professional life
- 52% wish bring a personal idea to life
- 34% of those under 35 see entrepreneurship as a response to professional insecurity
In other words, female entrepreneurship appears to be a lever of emancipation, impact and autonomy.
But the unstable economic context weakens this ambition. Motivation in favor of employment is regaining ground (49%, +8 points), while the attraction for starting a business is declining (50%, -9 points).
In other words: the desire is there, the confidence is wavering.
84% of women anticipate obstacles to business creation
If the dynamic is progressing, female entrepreneurship nevertheless remains perceived as a journey strewn with pitfalls.
Financing, the first psychological obstacle
Nearly 1 in 3 women fear:
- Not having the starting capital
- Encountering difficulties accessing financing (27%)
- To fail
Added to these concerns is the administrative complexityidentified as a major obstacle by 29% of respondents.
The fear of failing, often more pronounced in women due to mechanisms of self-censorship and differentiated socialization, constitutes an invisible but powerful brake.
Family obstacles: the blind spot of entrepreneurial equality
In addition to these economic obstacles, there are private obstacles. Thus, 1 in 3 women anticipate difficulties in reconciling:
- Business creation
- Family responsibilities
- Household management
- Caregiver role
As a result, female entrepreneurship remains closely dependent on private balances.
And the figures speak for themselves: 49% of women believe that a better distribution of domestic tasks is an essential condition for promoting entrepreneurship (compared to 39% of men).
Economic equality starts at home.
What women want in entrepreneurship
Faced with this observation, three priorities clearly emerge from the 2026 barometer on female entrepreneurship:
1️⃣ Better work-life balance
49% are asking for measures to facilitate work-life balance.
2️⃣ Administrative simplification
53% of French people consider simplifying procedures a priority (+5 points).
Less complexity means less self-censorship and more action.
3️⃣ More support and mentoring
42% of women favor training, mentoring and support programs.
Isolation remains one of the main factors for abandonment. The collective is a key lever.
Concrete measures to support female entrepreneurship
Today, 1 in 2 entrepreneurs supported by France Active is a woman.
Thanks to the Women’s Equality Guarantee, the association can secure up to 80% of a bank loan (up to €50,000) to support business creation, takeover or development projects.
At the same time, the French Banking Federation and France Active publish the guide “Feminine entrepreneurship”intended to help women plan concretely in their entrepreneurial journey.
For Maya Atig, general director of the French Banking Federation: “ Women have the ideas, the skills and the desire to undertake. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that neither administrative constraints nor daily imbalances slow down their ambition. »
Thus, supporting female entrepreneurship is not a symbolic issue. It is an issue of national economic vitality.
The 3 key tips for women who want to start their business
From this perspective, Fanny Gerome, deputy general director of France Active, shares three essential recommendations:
✔ Don’t be alone
From the first stages, surrounding yourself – networks, mentors, advisors – allows you to structure your project and strengthen your confidence.
✔ Secure your financing upstream
In anticipation, identifying existing aid, guarantees and schemes helps to remove preconceived ideas about access to credit.
✔ Don’t wait until you “feel ready”
Because legitimacy does not precede action. It is built as we move forward.
Female entrepreneurship: a major economic and societal issue
Ultimately, the 2026 barometer study on female entrepreneurship in France reveals a powerful paradox: Women want to start a business, but they perceive more obstacles than men.
From then on, the issue is no longer to arouse desire. It now consists of creating the structural conditions – financial, administrative, social – to transform this ambition into lasting success.
Female entrepreneurship represents a formidable source of growth, innovation and social transformation. We still need to remove the invisible obstacles that hinder its growth.
