Female entrepreneurship trends show digital and financial challenges in El Salvador and Costa Rica

Recent reports highlight the evolving landscape of female entrepreneurship in El Salvador and Costa Rica, focusing on digital adoption and financial access.

In El Salvador, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2025–2026 indicates that women lead in early-stage entrepreneurship with a 26.5% participation rate, compared to 20.7% for men. However, women represent only 17% of established businesses, suggesting difficulties in scaling ventures. While 56% of entrepreneurs intend to increase digital tool usage for sales, current adoption remains low; only 5.9% of surveyed micro and small enterprises use artificial intelligence, with men utilizing it at a higher rate (8%) than women (4.5%).

In Costa Rica, access to financing remains a primary barrier for women. A study of Grameen Costa Rica clients found that 51% of women struggle to find viable financing alternatives. Despite these hurdles, microcredits have provided significant benefits: 49% reported improved business operations and 56% noted an improved quality of life. Grameen Costa Rica was recognized in the Microfinance Index 2026 by 60 Decibels, receiving the highest score among Latin American institutions and a Microfinance Social Impact Award.