Moscow and St. Petersburg Lead as Russia's Hubs for Women Entrepreneurs

A new breakdown of women entrepreneurs across Russia shows clear regional leaders. Moscow and its surrounding oblast dominate the rankings, with other areas like St. Petersburg and Krasnodar Territory also standing out. The data highlights where female business ownership and self-employment are thriving most. The Moscow region leads the nation with 223,900 women entrepreneurs—the highest total in the country. Within this, Moscow Oblast alone accounts for 146,000, placing it second overall. The capital city itself follows closely, hosting 122,200 women-controlled companies.

Moscow Oblast also tops the construction sector, where 28,000 women head residential and non-residential firms. This concentration of female-led businesses sets the region apart from others. St. Petersburg ranks fourth nationally with 100,200 women entrepreneurs. The city also supports 42,700 women-headed companies, securing its place among the top five regions. Meanwhile, Krasnodar Territory holds third position overall, with 112,800 women running businesses. The region is also notable for its 20,000 women-controlled companies, reinforcing its strong showing. In a unique trend, Krasnodar Territory leads Russia in female taxi drivers. Nearly 1,500 self-employed women work in this sector there—more than any other region. Rostov Oblast rounds out the top five, with 58,800 women entrepreneurs.

The figures reveal a concentration of women-led businesses in key economic hubs. Moscow, its surrounding oblast, and St. Petersburg dominate in sheer numbers, while Krasnodar Territory stands out for both entrepreneurship and niche sectors like taxi driving. These patterns reflect regional opportunities and the scale of female participation in different industries.