A Polish woman – A European woman – A businesswoman

A Polish woman in business is a person who is open to diversity and takes into account different opinions, including those of people with different views. She likes to have a so-called plan B.

Prepared in advance, in case of failure of the initialy chosen strategy, she is less likely than men to take risks, although she does not avoid them either. Polish women working in business like to be prepared, expand their knowledge and competences on their own, eagerly take advantage of training, courses or participation in thematic lectures. They make sure that their companies are competitive in the market. They are eager to introduce new technology and innovation. Women have greater divided attention and better organisation of work. While their companies  are more sensitive to social issues than those led by men.

Polish women in business

According to data from CEIDG for the first quarter of 2023, there are 940 thousand sole proprietorships run by women  in Poland. Almost twice as many are run by men. Therefore, women are the owners of 34 per cent of all sole proprietorships in our country.

As the size of the company increases, this share decreases. Companies with up to 9 employees that are owned by women are already 29.52 per cent. The small sector – employing from 10 to 49 people – is 25.41 per cent. Companies with 50-249 employees are 25.41 per cent owned by women. In the case of the sector of large enterprises, employing more than 250 people, women are their owners in only 12.92 per cent.

As the size of the company increases, this share decreases. Companies with up to 9 employees that are owned by women are already 29.52%. The small sector – employing from 10 to 49 people – is 25.41 per cent. Companies with 50-249 employees are 25.41 per cent owned by women. In the case of the sector of large enterprises, employing more than 250 people, women are their owners in only 12.92 per cent.

Polish women in  managerial positions against the backdrop of Europe

Compared to Europe, the ratio of women in managerial positions in Poland is quite high, oscillating at the level of nearly 50 per cent in micro-enterprises, however,  the larger the company is, this number decreases. In small and medium-sized companies, 25 per cent of them do not have a single woman on their Management Board. All female  Management Boards make up only 6 per cent of such companies.

The real problem, however, arises at the level of Management Boards of large companies, e.g. those listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Only 5.7 per cent of them have female CEOs and 16.22 per cent have female Management Board members.

The number of women on Management Boards of large companies, but those not listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, looks a little better. According to data from CEIDG from the beginning of 2023, this number in the first quarter of 2023 amounted to 194 thousand (25 per cent) in commercial companies (limited liability companies, joint-stock companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, partnerships, limited joint-stock partnerships and branches of foreign entrepreneurs). While at the same time, the number of men in such position was 586,000 .

Compared to Europe, the number of women in senior positions in Poland is very good. Research conducted by Dun & Bradstreet “Women in Business 2023”  showed that apart from sole proprietorships, Polish women occupy 17 per cent of managerial positions in companies.  A smaller number of women in managerial positions than in Poland, can be  found in, among others, such countries as: Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary – 15 per cent each, Norway (13 per cent), Denmark (12 per cent), Sweden (11 per cent).

Studies have also shown that companies run by women generate higher profits than those run by men. Women, however, still earn less than men, by an average of 10.4 per cent. There are professions in which women’s incomes are lower by up to 20 per cent, despite the fact that women in Poland are better educated. In order to match the wages of men in managerial and specialist positions, they would have to work 68 days a year longer. In this respect, European Union directives are not enough. It is important to act in parallel to help Polish women entrepreneurs.

The strength of women in business is the increasing mutual support they give and receive. They are active in community groups, business clubs, foundations, they take part in and conduct development workshops.

Support, development, new ideas, innovative solutions, sharing knowledge and achievements, discussing  the stumbling blocks and difficulties on the way to success can be obtained and shared with others by working in various foundations, industry teams, women’s academies.

Sources: CEIDG, KRS, Dun & Bradstreet “Women in Business 2023”