The Nations With The Strongest Entrepreneurial Mindset, According To Scientific Study

New business ideas are born every day. Budding entrepreneurs can decide to finally start that small business they’ve been planning for years. While others set up a side hustle to supplement their income. No matter the size or scale of the business, the strong, determined mindset that entrepreneurs need to bring these dreams to life is the same.

As Remitly now supports global business payments, we wanted to find out which nations had the strongest entrepreneurial mindsets, so we asked more than 7,000 participants from around the world to answer a series of questions from the “grit scale”, which was developed by academic, psychologist, and popular science author Angela Duckworth. This series of questions helps to analyse someone’s mindset when it comes to passion, perseverance and long-term commitment, all traits that form the backbone of entrepreneurial grit.

Key findings

South Africans have the strongest entrepreneurial mindset in our study, scoring an impressive 46.18 out of 60.
The UK ranks as the second most entrepreneurial nation with a score of 42.54, followed by Ireland (42.17) and India (42.06).
In the USA, Arizona tops the list as the state with the highest entrepreneurial mindset, scoring 44.20, followed by Colorado and Connecticut

What is the “grit scale” study?

Developed by Angela Duckworth, the Rosa Lee and Egbert Chang Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, the “Grit Scale” aims to assess a person’s passion and perseverance when it comes to achieving long-term goals. Having a higher “Grit Score” suggests someone has a higher tendency to stick to goals, even when things might get difficult, while having a lower score might indicate there is a greater likelihood to give up easily when things get tough.

For our study, more than 7,000 respondents from 26 countries were asked a series of questions from the “Grit Scale” to ascertain how passionate and persevering they were. Each question was presented as a statement with respondents asked to say whether they found it to be ‘very much like me’, ‘mostly like me’, somewhat like me’, ‘not much like me’ or ‘not like me at all’.

The cumulative scores provide a comprehensive picture of a nation's overall “grit” profile; the higher the score, the more passionate and persevering the nation was, so the stronger its entrepreneurial mindset is likely to be.

The world’s most entrepreneurial nations

Based on surveying thousands of people around the world, we found the following countries have the strongest entrepreneurial mindsets.

South Africa (46.18)

Leading the global list is South Africa, a nation whose entrepreneurial mindset reflects its traits of being resourceful, determined, and eager to innovate. The country has some rapidly expanding hubs, such as Cape Town and Johannesburg, where technology and startup ecosystems are thriving, thanks to ambitious entrepreneurs keen to make their mark on the international stage.

United Kingdom (42.54)

The UK ranks second, driven by a well-established startup culture and a spirit of ambition that runs deep, particularly in cities like London and Manchester. A growing number of Brits [1] are also redefining career success, shifting toward self-employment, freelancing, and side hustles in pursuit of greater autonomy and balance with their working careers, and achieving their goals is all underpinned by a strong sense of entrepreneurial grit.

Ireland (42.17)

Following in third, Ireland stands out as a nation defined by resilience, creativity and a strong sense of purpose. Known for their sharp thinking and hard work, the Irish are also renowned for possessing a gift for great storytelling, which helps them bring their business dreams to life. With a mindset rooted in optimism and determination, budding Irish entrepreneurs have a resilient mindset that is sure to steer them in the right direction when it comes to creating a long-lasting legacy.

India (42.06)

Within India, there’s a strong cultural focus on education, ambition, and perseverance in the face of challenges throughout all aspects of life, all of which help shape a generation of tenacious self-starters. The spirit of jugaad, finding clever and resourceful solutions with limited means, really captures the mindset that drives many Indian entrepreneurs forward as they chase their dreams of starting up their ventures. Known for not shying away from putting in the graft, their high score backs up their reputation for hard work.

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Spain (41.13)

Spain shines as a nation full of passion and creative thinking, from fashion to food and digital solutions. While economic challenges in recent decades have been significant, they’ve also inspired a new wave of entrepreneurs, particularly among younger generations. Resilience, adaptability, and a desire to do a meaningful job are all backed by having grit-driven determination, which has led many Spaniards to build businesses that blend tradition with innovation as they look to level up in the future.

United States of America (40.96)

The entrepreneurial mindset is baked into American culture, with the ‘American Dream’ continuing to inspire millions to build businesses from the ground up. Whether it’s a local small business or a tech giant-in-the-making, across the USA, citizens are encouraged to take risks, experiment, and embrace failure as part of the journey. With vast resources, an appetite for innovation, and numerous opportunities to chase their dreams, it's no surprise that Americans rank highly in showing grit and determination.

New Zealand (40.62)

New Zealanders are known for their DIY spirit, independence, and creative problem-solving skills. With a relatively small domestic market, entrepreneurs often adopt a global mindset early on, so they have to think big and push through any doubts they may have. The country's culture of work-life balance also encourages more sustainable, value-led approaches to business, which can be a refreshing trait in the modern entrepreneurial landscape.

Brazil (40.51)

Entrepreneurship in Brazil is often born from necessity, with almost two-fifths of workers in informal employment [2] prompting many to strike out on their own. Despite economic volatility, Brazilian entrepreneurs are renowned for their creativity, optimism, and tenacity, as evidenced by their impressive score of 40.51 out of 60. Community support and a strong social fabric also play key roles in creating business ventures that thrive against the odds in Brazil, with locals coming together to support each other.

Greece (40.48)

Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of the Greek economy, and with them comes a deeply ingrained entrepreneurial mindset. The aftermath of the 2009 financial crisis sparked a sense of innovation and independence among those living in Greece, with many turning their passion projects into businesses. With pride in their craft, cultural heritage, and innovation, Greeks have a uniquely gritty approach to entrepreneurship. Ranking so highly globally proves that the Greeks have what it takes to overcome challenges, whether in business or day-to-day life.

Italy (40.45)

Italy’s entrepreneurial spirit is deeply rooted in tradition, particularly in family-run businesses that have been passed down through generations. Whether it’s in fashion, food, or design, Italian entrepreneurs are known for their passion, craftsmanship, and taking great pride in their quality of work. Their deep respect for legacy, paired with a growing drive for modernisation, creates a powerful foundation for having an ambitious mindset.

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The world’s most entrepreneurially-minded people

Rank	Country	Average “grit” score (out of 60)
1	South Africa	46.18
2	UK	42.54
3	Ireland	42.17
4	India	42.06
5	Spain	41.13
6	USA	40.96
7	New Zealand	40.62
8	Brazil	40.51
9	Greece	40.48
10	Italy	40.45
11	Germany	40.42
12	Canada	40.36
13	Netherlands	40.24
14	Mexico	40.19
15	Australia	40.09
16	Poland	39.92
17	Portugal	39.89
18	Sweden	39.68
19	Hungary	39.56
20	Belgium	39.32
21	France	39.19
22	Austria	38.95
23	Chile	38.86
24	Japan	38.72
25	Estonia	38.46
26	Czech Republic	37.64

Which US states have the strongest entrepreneurial mindsets?

While the USA ranks sixth overall in the global study, entrepreneurial spirit and state of mind vary across America, with some states displaying a more passionate and persevering mindset than others. The study revealed that people in Arizona, Colorado and Connecticut scored highest on average, outperforming states that are home to some of the world’s most iconic startup hubs, such as Silicon Valley in California and the finance businesses found in New York City.

Arizona (44.2)

Arizona takes the top spot as the state with the strongest entrepreneurial mindset, scoring 44.2 out of 60. Its growing startup ecosystem, especially in cities like Phoenix and Tucson, attracts ambitious entrepreneurs across sectors, including technology, software, and health innovation. The state has a business-friendly climate as well as a lower cost of living compared to other states popular with start-ups, making it an excellent place for resilient minds to explore their potential.

Colorado (43.96)

Colorado blends rugged independence with a strong sense of innovation. Denver and Boulder are home to vibrant startup scenes, particularly in green technologies, biotech, and outdoor recreation industries. Entrepreneurs here benefit from a collaborative community, supportive systems, and a lifestyle that promotes sustainability and resilience, key traits that align with high grit scores.

Connecticut (43.38)

Often overlooked in favour of its coastal neighbours, Connecticut has quietly emerged as a state with a determined and forward-thinking entrepreneurial population. With thriving industries including financial services, technology and insurance, the state is the number one location for the insurance industry in North America. [3] Its proximity to major financial and business centres, such as New York and Boston, combined with access to prestigious universities and research hubs like Yale University, fosters an environment ripe for both innovation and long-term success.

Virginia (43.30)

With a strong presence in technology, defence, and cybersecurity, as seven of the world’s top 10 defence-related firms have a presence in the state.[4] Virginia is increasingly becoming a magnet for driven professionals who hope to build impactful business ventures. Northern Virginia, in particular, close to D.C., offers both opportunity and infrastructure. The state’s emphasis on education, innovation, and resilience likely explains its high score in grit-based entrepreneurial traits.

Minnesota (43.26)

Minnesota rounds out the top five with a strong culture of hard work, resilience, and community spirit. These values are deeply ingrained in everyday life for Minnesotans, and this translates naturally into entrepreneurship. With thriving industries like healthcare, emerging growth in digital healthcare, and electrical manufacturing, currently around 9.9x the national average.[5] The state is also seeing a growing wave of purpose-driven startups in cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesotans are driven to build businesses that are both meaningful and enduring.

For those entrepreneurs in the US, see our tips on the best funding options for small businesses here.

The USA’s top 30 most entrepreneurial states

Rank	US State	Average “grit” score (out of 60)
1	Arizona	44.20
2	Colorado	43.96
3	Connecticut	43.48
4	Virginia	43.40
5	Minnesota	43.26
6	Kentucky	43.22
7	Texas	43.20
8	North Carolina	43.16
9	New Jersey	43.08
10	Maryland	42.86
11	Florida	42.80
12	Louisiana	42.76
13	Massachusetts	42.60
14	Georgia	42.52
15	Alabama	42.26
16	Iowa	42.18
17	Pennsylvania	42.04
18	Michigan	41.92
19	Arkansas	41.88
19	Missouri	41.88
21	South Carolina	41.82
21	Wisconsin	41.82
23	New York	41.80
24	Indiana	41.78
25	West Virginia	41.76
26	California	41.42
26	Delaware	41.42
28	Illinois	41.36
29	Mississippi	41.30
30	Tennessee	41.28

Where in the world is living up to their entrepreneurial potential the most?

While mindset certainly plays a crucial role in building successful, long-lasting businesses, entrepreneurship isn’t always about having just unshakable grit. Sometimes, it's about passion, timing, and seizing the right opportunity when it comes along, whether it’s a side hustle or a larger-scale business venture.

Examining real-world activity, data from the World Bank's Entrepreneurship Database reveals where new business creation is thriving, based on the number of newly registered corporations per 1,000 working-age people (15-64). In 2022, Estonia led the way, registering over 20,000 new firms across various industries, an impressive figure for a country of its size. Luxembourg follows in second place with an inspiring creation rate of 18.9, and the UK rounds out the top three with a score of 18.62, showing its continued appetite for enterprise and innovation.

The countries with the biggest discrepancy between action and mindset

To explore how entrepreneurial spirit translates into real-world action, we compared each country’s grit mindset score with the number of new businesses registered, revealing which nations are living up to their entrepreneurial reputation and which may be outperforming their mindset.

Estonia tops the list for new business creation, launching more startups per capita than any other country. However, it ranked just 25th in our mindset study, with a relatively modest grit score of 38.46. This suggests that while Estonians may not score highest in terms of passion and perseverance on paper, they’re highly effective at putting ideas into action. Why? Their lower grit score could be explained by cultural modesty or risk aversion, but their high new business creation is likely driven by their world-leading digital infrastructure, pro-business policies, and ease of starting a company, especially through its e-Residency program, which attracts entrepreneurs globally even if they’re not based in Estonia.

Several other countries exhibited a similar gap between entrepreneurial mindset and activity. Chile had a discrepancy of 17 points, followed closely by France (12), Australia (12), and the Czech Republic (12), all of which ranked lower in mindset but still took the chance and launched a high volume of new businesses. Again, this could be down to cultural conservatism, but the high business creation rates can be attributed to strong governmental support, accessible funding, and streamlined startup processes that encourage practical entrepreneurship despite mindset perceptions.

The US states with the biggest discrepancy between action and mindset

With so many new businesses being launched across America each year, we also analysed which US states are taking more action compared to their potential. Topping the list are Idaho and Vermont, both with a position difference of 41. Both of these states scored quite low on the “Grit Scale” compared to other states, ranking in positions 42 and 48, respectively; however, the data revealed that both rank highly for the number of new businesses being launched, with Idaho topping the list for the state with the highest business creation rate overall.

Other notable states that are leading the way with more businesses being formed within the private sector, but scored lower on the “Grit Scale”, include Utah (37), Wyoming (33) and South Carolina (18).

Conclusion: Mindset is step one in entrepreneurial success

The results of this study underscore an important insight: having a strong entrepreneurial mindset - defined by passion, perseverance, and long-term commitment - is a vital but not sole ingredient in business success. While nations like South Africa and the UK show high grit scores, countries such as Estonia and Chile prove that action can sometimes outpace attitude.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, this means cultivating grit is a powerful personal asset, but it's just as crucial to operate in environments that nurture innovation and lower barriers to entry. As the global economy continues to evolve, the most successful nations may be those that strike the right balance between psychological readiness and real-world action.

Methodology: How we measured the world's strongest entrepreneurial mindsets

Using Prolific, we surveyed more than 7,000 adult participants across 26 countries, assessing them using the “grit style” framework developed by psychologist Angela Duckworth. This model defines grit as a blend of passion and perseverance for long-term goals, the ability to stay committed and work through challenges with consistent effort, rather than relying on talent alone.

Participants were scored based on their responses, with higher scores indicating stronger levels of grit and, by extension, a stronger entrepreneurial mindset.

We then calculated the average score for each country, creating a national ‘entrepreneurial mindset’ index. The highest possible score was 60.

Due to polling limitations, the number of countries included in this study was reduced, though we hope to expand the scope in future research.

All data is accurate as of July 2025.

References
Angela Duckworth's “Grit scale” study: https://angeladuckworth.com/grit-scale/

Entrepreneurship Database: https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/entrepreneurship

US business data: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/economy/business-environment/business-creation-rate

[1] https://www.statista.com/statistics/318234/united-kingdom-self-employed/
[2] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1232760/informal-employment-share-brazil/
[3] https://www.advancect.org/key-industries/
[4] https://www.yesvirginiabeach.com/key-industries
[5] https://www.mnchamber.com/minnesota-chamber-foundation-cloned/minnesota-2030-industry-chapter-health-care-and-medical

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