Determinants of female entrepreneurship in rural areas of Brazil in 2019

Abstract

This study analyzes the determinants of female entrepreneurship in rural areas of Brazil, based on microdata from the 2019 Continuous National Household Survey (PNAD Contínua) and estimates using a logit model. The results show that women who are heads of households, older women, and women who work long hours are more likely to be entrepreneurs, especially in the agricultural sector. In the non agricultural sector, computer use, internet access, and support from the Bolsa Família program boost entrepreneurship. Regionally, entrepreneurship is more favored in the South and Northeast, while higher education reduces the probability of entrepreneurship in the North and Northeast. By income level, the effects of age, agricultural activity, retirement, and social programs are stronger at the extremes of the distribution, suggesting that entrepreneurship reflects both need and opportunity. The results highlight the importance of public policies that are sensitive to gender, territory, and income to strengthen the economic autonomy of rural women.