Female Entrepreneurship in Latin America and the Caribbean: Characteristics, Drivers and Relationship to Economic Development

This article explores female entrepreneurial activities in 13 Latin American and Caribbean countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Venezuela. Specifically, we explore the following research questions: What percentage of the female and male Latin American populations is involved in opportunity- and necessity-based entrepreneurial activities? And what quality of institutions is associated with female entrepreneurial activity opportunity and necessity rates? We comment on the impact of female entrepreneurship on economic development and conclude with implications for policy, practice and future research.