The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) held a workshop on 2 December entitled “Harnessing the Potential of Official Statistics for Measuring Women’s Entrepreneurship in the Republic of Moldova”, organised by the NBS in partnership with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women Moldova). The event was dedicated to statistics on women entrepreneurs, who play an essential role in promoting inclusive economic development, innovation and social progress.

At present, statistics on women’s entrepreneurship, produced by the NBS with the support of UN Women, have the status of experimental statistics. The workshop presented the preliminary results of this complex mapping and analysis exercise. It provided a platform for discussions on the new indicators and data obtained and facilitated an exchange of views on measuring and promoting women’s participation in entrepreneurship.

The datasets related to women’s entrepreneurship cover the following areas: enterprise activity (turnover, number of employees, etc.); business demography (number of entities, enterprise birth rate, enterprise death rate, etc.); exports of goods; and business expectations and constraints.

To produce the data on women’s entrepreneurship, available statistical data and administrative data sources were used, namely: (i) the Statistical Register of Statistical Units; (ii) the State Register of Legal Entities; (iii) the State Population Register; (iv) data from the financial statements of economic entities; (v) customs declarations; and (vi) the Business Tendency Survey.

“The gender dimension is at the centre of attention both in society and at the NBS. This year, we launched relevant surveys that will complement the overall picture of the situation of women in society: children’s activities, time use and domestic violence. The dataset presented today is a new one, generated on the basis of data already available from statistical and administrative sources. By combining the data available to the NBS, we strive to enhance the value of the statistics we disseminate”, mentioned Oleg CARA, Director General of the NBS, in his welcoming remarks.

“In the European Union, these statistics are very important. Efforts to produce data on the number of women heading enterprises will support the Republic of Moldova on its European path. These efforts bring results for a country that is moving forward and developing. We appreciate the innovative approach to analysing administrative data as part of experimental statistics. The data help us understand how we can harness the potential of women entrepreneurs, which will have a positive impact on the development of the country’s economy”, emphasised Dominika STOJANOSKA, Country Representative, UN Women Moldova.

The experimental statistics on women’s entrepreneurship produced by the NBS were presented by Iurie MOCANU, Deputy Director General of the NBS. According to the experimental calculations presented, 3 out of 10 enterprises are headed by women, while 4 out of 10 enterprises were established by women. Most women head enterprises in the services sector (44.3%) and wholesale and retail trade (44.1%). Women heading enterprises are predominantly aged 35-44 years (33.9%), followed by those aged 45–54 years (22.9%).

Svetlana BULGAC, Head of the General Division for Business Statistics within the NBS, presented the Business Tendency Survey — a qualitative survey that identifies trends and expectations based on the assessments of enterprise managers. The presentation focused on the breakdown of enterprise managers by men and women.

The experimental calculations on women’s entrepreneurship are compiled in accordance with work item No. 117 of Component 1 of the Statistical Work Programme for 2025, approved by Government Decision No. 897/2024. The compilation of calculations on women’s entrepreneurship provides for the development of statistical datasets from a gender perspective according to three criteria: (i) the administrator of the economic entity; (ii) the founders of the economic entity; and (iii) the combined criterion of the administrator and founder of the economic entity.

The event was attended by representatives of public authorities, including the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalisation, the National Bank of Moldova and the State Tax Service, as well as representatives of academia, civil society and other organisations.

The surveys on measuring women’s entrepreneurship carried out by the NBS benefited from support under the EVOLVE4GE Project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UN Women. The project aims to accelerate gender equality by empowering women through economic opportunities, combating violence and promoting gender-responsive governance.

More details on the Experimental Statistics on Women’s Entrepreneurship are available here.

Presentation:

• Experimental statistics on women's entrepreneurship (in Rom.)