Last year, women founded almost 40 percent. all sole proprietorships – informed the Polish Economic Institute (PIE). 87 percent Women founded a total of 102.8 thousand. sole proprietorships, which constituted 39 percent all newly established JDGs in Poland – according to CEIDG data.
Polish women dominate in new activities
Of this number, 87 percent JDG was registered by Polish women, while 13 percent was created on the initiative of foreign women. 6 out of 10 new JDGs founded by Polish women last year focused on professional, scientific and technical activities, trade, health care, social assistance and other service activities, the Institute said.
Foreign women choose services more often
In turn, the majority of JDGs registered by foreign women (61%) operated in 2025 in four sections: other service activities, trade, administrative services, support activities and professional, scientific and technical activities.
According to PIE, foreign women most often set up JDG in the rest service activities (27%), while in the case of Polish women it was 14%. They also operated in telecommunications, computer programming and administration services more often than Polish women. They were also more likely to be involved in support activities, accommodation and catering.
Polish women are more likely to work in medicine and sectors requiring qualifications
However, the participation of JDG Polish women in the health care and social assistance industry last year was 16 percent, while in the case of foreign women it was 5 percent. Polish women were more likely to establish JDGs also in the professional, scientific and technical sectors, in finance and insurance, and in trade.
A similar share in the structure of established businesses, both among Polish and foreign women, occurred, among others: in industrial processing and construction.
Systemic barriers for migrant women
According to PIE, foreign women were more likely to start businesses in sectors with low entry barriers. In turn, Polish women were more likely to open JDGs in industries requiring nostrification of diplomas or professional licenses.
“These differences are systemic: female migrants encounter institutional barriers (e.g. recognition of qualifications, limited access to capital resources) that direct them to sectors with lower entry barriers and more flexible regulations.” – assessed the Institute’s analysts.
Polish Economic Institute is a public economic think tank; prepares reports, analyzes and recommendations regarding key areas of the economy and social life.
