Informality in business from a gender perspective: a literature review

IE remains a persistent phenomenon with differentiated effects on women, limiting their opportunities for growth and sustainability. This study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) of 415 articles from Scopus and Web of Science under the PRISMA guidelines. Results reveal a concentration of studies in India, the United Kingdom, and the United States, highlighting that structural, institutional, business, and individual factors shape informality. Among these, restricted credit access, educational gaps, and women’s double work burden are particularly relevant. Evidence also shows that regulatory frameworks and public policies, rather than alleviating challenges, often intensify bureaucratic, economic, and sociocultural barriers to women’s formalization. The review identified significant research gaps, particularly regarding the progressive transition toward formality and the design of gender-inclusive policies that can promote sustainable and equitable entrepreneurship. These findings contribute to the advancement of theoretical and practical perspectives on informality and gender in entrepreneurship research.