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This study investigates the differences in entrepreneurial activities, attitudes and environment between MENA and the rest of the world. It shows that in spite of a more favorable attitudes towards entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs in MENA countries, entrepreneurial activity measures such as total entrepreneurial activity (TEA) rates for men are at the same level of non-MENA countries, while women’s TEA rates are lower. Women are also less likely to engage in necessity and opportunity driven entrepreneurship although their perception of their skills and fear of failure is the same as women in Non-MENA countries. Male entrepreneurs in MENA countries are more likely to engage in entrepreneurship primarily because of opportunity rather than non-opportunity motives. Moreover, perceptions of capabilities and the environment, entrepreneurial attitudes, and motivations are all different in this region. Some explanations for these results are provided.

Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Characteristics, Middle East and North Africa