Carrion Menendez, Alejandro (2016). Finance and Gender Data for Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago: 2012. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/lg4l5otp

1. English

What does the FINGEN dataset contain?

The dataset includes firm-level data collected in 2012 across Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. It captures detailed information on finance access, firm performance, gender of ownership and management, and use of productive development programs.

What is the purpose of the Finance and Gender Issues in the Caribbean (FINGEN) survey?

The survey was designed to explore the intersection of gender and finance in the Caribbean. It investigates how access to credit, investment decisions, and business growth differ between male and female business owners.

Which countries are covered in this dataset?

The dataset covers Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, focusing on Caribbean female business owners and how gender dynamics affect firm outcomes.

Who conducted the survey?

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Compete Caribbean surveyed as a follow-up to the Caribbean Enterprise and Indicator Survey (CES 2011), which was part of the Latin American and Caribbean Enterprise Surveys (LACES) jointly implemented by the IDB, Compete Caribbean, and the World Bank.

What year was the data collected?

Data collection took place in 2012, targeting approximately 400 firms that had previously participated in CES 2011.

What topics does the dataset cover?

The dataset includes:
- Access to finance and use of financial products
- Firm performance indicators (growth, profitability, innovation)
- Gender of ownership and management, highlighting trends among Barbados female business owners, Jamaica female business owners, and Trinidad and Tobago female business owners
- Management practices and leadership styles
- Participation in business development programs

How can this dataset be used?

Researchers and policymakers can use the data to:
- Analyze gender disparities in financial access and business outcomes
- Support evidence-based policies promoting inclusive finance for women entrepreneurs
- Examine regional trends in Caribbean female business ownership and firm growth

Where can I find survey documentation and methodology?

The ZIP package includes:
- Caribbean-Follow-up-Survey-2012-Survey-Description & Technical Report – detailed sampling and methodology notes
- Caribbean-Follow-up-Survey-2012-FINGEN-Questionnaire – complete survey instrument with question wording and structure

Is the data comparable across countries?

Yes. The survey used a harmonized methodology aligned with the Latin American and Caribbean Enterprise Surveys (LACES) framework, enabling cross-country comparisons of gender and finance indicators across Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago.

How does gender influence financial decision-making and outcomes?

The dataset shows that establishments with female owners or managers often face different financing experiences. For example, women-led firms reported greater barriers to accessing credit and were less likely to use equity financing than male-led firms.

Why do women and men exhibit different levels of investment risk tolerance?

The survey indicates that female owners were less likely to pursue equity financing or participatory loans, suggesting lower risk tolerance in firm-level investment decisions.

How are gender disparities in venture capital funding for female-led startups?

This IDB dataset shows that female-led firms were less likely to secure equity financing. Venture capital access was limited overall, with women-led firms reporting higher rates of rejection.

What barriers do women face in obtaining loans and credit cards?

The survey documents that female-led firms were more likely to cite complex procedures, a lack of guarantees, and prior rejections as reasons for not requesting loans or credit.

What is the state of women entrepreneurs in Barbados?

This IDB dataset includes Barbados firms. Female-led businesses were less represented among large firms and more concentrated in services, with lower access to equity financing compared to male-led firms.

What are the challenges for women starting businesses in the Caribbean?

The survey highlights barriers, including limited access to equity financing, higher loan rejection rates, and reliance on supplier credit.

What is the state of government grants and funding for women in business in Barbados?

This IDB dataset shows low overall uptake of government grants (7.4% of establishments), with female-led firms less likely to access them compared to male-led firms.

What is the difference between female entrepreneurship rates in Barbados vs other Caribbean countries?

This IDB dataset indicates that female ownership was present but less common than male ownership. In the sample, 10.9% of establishments were all-women-owned, while 56% were all-men-owned.

What is the state of women entrepreneurs in Jamaica?

This IDB dataset includes Jamaican firms. Female-led businesses were more likely to be in services and faced similar financing barriers as in Barbados and Trinidad.

Are there grants and funding for female entrepreneurs in Jamaica?

Government grants were rare overall (7.4% of establishments). Female-led firms reported lower access compared to male-led firms.

What are the challenges faced by female business owners in Jamaica?

The survey shows that women-led firms faced higher loan rejection rates and were less likely to request equity financing, citing a lack of guarantees and complex procedures.

What is the state of female entrepreneurship in Trinidad and Tobago?

This IDB dataset includes Trinidadian firms. Female-led businesses were present but underrepresented among large firms. They faced similar financing barriers as in Jamaica and Barbados.

What are the statistics on the percentage of SMEs owned by women in Trinidad and Tobago?

This IDB dataset shows that 10.9% of establishments were all women-owned, 6.4% predominantly women, and 12.3% equally men and women.