10 Best Countries for Women Entrepreneurs in 2026: Where to Build and Scale

4. New Zealand, Oceania

New Zealand has a business climate that is easy to operate in, along with high levels of gender equality and entrepreneurship.

It ranks sixth on the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Global Gender Gap Index, having closed 82.8 percent of its gender gap. The country has also ranked among the top countries for gender parity for quite some time.

Its entrepreneurial environment has long been strong as well. In Mastercard’s Women Entrepreneurs Index, New Zealand ranked second because of its good SME environment, access to finance, and entrepreneurial climate.

Moreover, New Zealand’s government-funded innovation system includes female entrepreneurs among the groups targeted by many of its startup programs.

Most in-demand industries in NZ: Agritech, sustainability, food, technology, tourism, and purpose-driven businesses.

Practical advantage for women entrepreneurs in NZ: Women building innovative or impact-focused companies can explore government-supported startup and innovation programs alongside private funding.

5. Australia, Oceania

Women entrepreneurs in Australia benefit from a well-developed SME environment, sound laws, and an educated labor force.

According to the World Bank, Australia scores 75/100 on its entrepreneurial legal framework, and its child care and work-related frameworks score particularly high.

Australia is also among the nations that perform well on gender parity; in the WEF 2026 report, it ranks eighth in the world, having closed 81.9 percent of its gender gap.

Australia’s strengths go beyond the legal environment. Government-supported business information, innovation projects, grants, and networks are especially useful for founders moving from concept to SME.

Most in-demand industries in Australia: Healthtech, climate businesses, agribusiness, professional services, education, and consumer businesses.

Practical advantage for women entrepreneurs in Australia: Women founders should investigate state-level as well as federal programs, as support can differ considerably between jurisdictions.

6. France, Europe

France has created a highly visible infrastructure for women’s entrepreneurship, including systems aimed at addressing one of the major challenges faced by founders: access to credit.

According to the World Bank’s 2025 entrepreneurship legal framework indicator, France scored 75 out of 100.

Of greater significance for entrepreneurs, however, is the Garantie ÉGALITÉ Femmes, provided by France Active, which guarantees up to 80 percent of a bank loan capped at €50,000. The program was designed to enable women entrepreneurs who are launching, acquiring, or developing businesses to access bank credit.

France also has significant technology, luxury, fashion, food, and creative sectors that give founders access to established domestic and international markets.

Most in-demand industries in France: Fashion, beauty, luxury, food, creative businesses, technology, and sustainable enterprises.

Practical advantage for women entrepreneurs in France: Women seeking debt financing should investigate France Active and the Garantie ÉGALITÉ Femmes rather than relying exclusively on conventional bank lending.