“Latinas are doing everything right: working, caregiving, earning degrees, and starting businesses; yet systemic inequities continue to block wealth-building opportunities,”
Orson Aguilar, President & CEO of LatinoProsperity.

“This report is a call to action to our leaders that action needs to be taken to unlock Latinas’ full potential as drivers of America’s economic future.”

“Latinas are doing everything right: working, caregiving, earning degrees, and starting businesses; yet systemic inequities continue to block wealth-building opportunities,”
Orson Aguilar
Founding President and CEO, LatinoProsperity  

Key Findings

Pay Inequities That Won’t Close: Latinas earn 27% less than White women, even after accounting for education and experience. With focused efforts, the wage gap will take more than 60 years to close.

Entrepreneurship is Soaring, but Funding is Not: Latina-owned employer businesses surged 82% in just five years, now generating $120 billion annually and employing nearly 900,000 workers. Yet, they receive less than 1% of venture capital dollars.

Housing and Asset gaps: Only 49% of Latino households own their homes, compared to 65% of U.S. households. Latino homeowners overall hold 28 times more w ealth than Latino renters, underscoring both the critical role—and fragile foundation—of homeownership.

Retirement and Investment Shortfalls: Latinas report an average of just $1,345 in retirement income and $700 in investment income annually—far below that of White women, at $4,411 and $3,171, respectively.

Debt Delaying Life Milestones: Over one-third (36%) of Latinas reported delaying buying a home or pursuing education due to debt burdens. 

Educational Gains, Unequal Returns: More than 3.5 million Latinas hold bachelor’s degrees or higher—triple the number since 2000. Still, only 20% of Latinas have a degree compared to 38% of White women. Even with graduate degrees, Latinas earn less than equally educated peers. 

Citizenship Status Widens Gaps: Naturalized Latinas earn 38% more than their U.S.-born Latina peers, while those without citizenship earn 67% less—underscoring how legal status drives income inequality and limits wealth-building opportunities.

Financial First Responders: Latinas disproportionately shoulder family emergencies, draining savings and stalling wealth-building. Just 35% have emergency savings, compared to more than half of White women. 

A Broader Vision of Wealth: In interviews and six national roundtables, Latinas defined wealth not only as assets but also as stability, health, peace of mind, and the ability to support family with dignity.