Women-led businesses in Korea recorded solid growth in 2024, with average revenue per company rising by 15 percent and net profit increasing by 9.3 percent year on year, according to the Ministry’s latest nationwide survey released on Monday.
The findings come from the 2025 Survey on Women-Led Businesses, published the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, which tracks the financial performance, management environment and policy needs of companies headed by women.
The survey shows that the average annual revenue per firm reached KRW 2.27 billion, up from KRW 1.98 billion a year earlier, while average net profit increased to KRW 80 million. Productivity indicators also improved, with revenue per employee climbing to KRW 275 million, reflecting stronger operational efficiency across the sector.
Financial stability showed notable progress. The average debt ratio of women-led businesses fell sharply to 91.9 percent, down more than 30 percentage points from the previous year, signaling healthier balance sheets despite continued investment and expansion.
Women-led firms expanded investment across key growth areas. Average spending on research and development rose by nearly 35 percent to KRW 340 million, while average export value increased by 11.9 percent to KRW 2.9 billion Domestic facility investment and overseas investment also grew compared with the previous year, underscoring a broader push toward innovation and global markets.
The average women-led company employed 8.3 workers. Full-time staff accounted for roughly 87 percent of employment, with part-time workers making up the remainder. The gender composition of the workforce was evenly split, with men and women each averaging just over four employees per firm.
When asked about perceived strengths, women entrepreneurs most frequently cited attention to detail and meticulous management. The most commonly identified weakness was a lack of risk-taking culture, while the area where respondents felt most disadvantaged compared to male-led firms was the burden of balancing work and family responsibilities.
In terms of policy priorities, tax incentives ranked highest, followed by access to finance, workforce support and assistance with market access. Among existing measures, financial support programs recorded the highest satisfaction rate, with more than 90 percent of users reporting tangible benefits.
The ministry said it will use the survey results to refine and strengthen policies tailored to women-led businesses, taking into account differences in growth stages, industry characteristics and structural challenges.
