Swedish UF Companies See More Women CEOs

In Sweden, nearly 60 percent of student-run companies (UF-företag) elected women as CEOs. This contrasts sharply with private sector businesses where only 35 percent of managers are women. The Swedish government is now collaborating with the educational organization Ung Företagsamhet to address gender imbalance in entrepreneurship.

Analysis from the Swedish Gender Equality Agency shows both women and men possess equal entrepreneurial abilities, yet men still found 70 percent of companies in Sweden. The agency notes women often start smaller businesses in sectors considered less financially viable, hindering growth and access to funding. Women also report receiving more rejections or higher interest rates when seeking business loans compared to men.

This disparity contributes to an income gap of roughly 30 percent between men and women in business—a gap that has remained stable since the 2000s and exceeds the overall income gap. Ung Företagsamhet is working with schools, particularly in traditionally female-dominated programs, to encourage more students to start UF companies.

Students with UF experience are 80 percent more likely to start businesses later. The collaboration continues as Tillväxtverket prepares to report on its progress to the government next February.