Growth in the number of light entrepreneurs
The number of light entrepreneurs is growing rapidly. As light entrepreneurship is an increasingly common form of working, it is important that self-employment, including light entrepreneurship, is recognised in legislation
Year Number of light entrepreneurs
2013 approx. 20 000
2014 aprrox. 32 000
2015 approx. 50 000
2016 approx. 70 000
2017 approx. 85 000
2018 approx. 113 000
2019 approx. 122 000
Source: The information on the number of light entrepreneurs is based on information gathered from the member businesses of The New Work Association. The association represents approximately 95 % of the revenue of the invoicing service industry.
The growth in the revenue of the industry
The industry is experiencing rapid growth.
Year The revenue of businesses in the invoicing service industry
2013 37,7 meur
2014 60,6 meur
2015 86,4 meur
2016 107,4 meur
2017 116,1 meur
2018 150,7 meur
2019 185,3 meur
Source: The information on the revenue of the businesses in the industry are based on the records of the member businesses of The New Work Association. The association represents approximately 95 % of the revenue of the invoicing service industry.
Newly founded businesses in Finland in 2017
Approximately 6 % of the companies founded in 2017 have their roots in light entrepreneurship.
Businesses founded in 2017 approx. 33 000
Businesses founded with light entrepreneurship roots in 2017 approx. 1830
Source: The number of light entrepreneurs is based on the records of the member businesses of The New Work Association. The association represents approximately 95 % of the revenue of the invoicing service industry.
The background information of light entrepreneurs
Gender Male 64%, female 36%
Age Under 20 1%, 20-30 9%, 31-45 40%, 46-57 34%, 58- 16%
Place of residence Uusimaa 41%, Pirkanmaa 11%, Southwest Finland 11%, Northern Ostrobothnia 5%, The rest of Finland (excluding Åland Islands) 32%
Education Master’s degree or doctorate 22%, Bachelor’s degree or vocational qualification 31%, upper secondary school/ vocational education 34%, basic education 13%
Source: Survey by Sitra and Eezy 2016 (N=1115)
Distribution of industries
Light entrepreneurs represent many different fields of industry.
Construction, industry, electrical installation, water supply and sewarage or waste management, transportation 25 %
Management and support services 22 %
Arts, entertainment and recreation 21 %
Information and technology 15 %
Scientific and technical activity 9 %
Education 8 %
Source: Survey by Sitra and Eezy 2016 (N=1115)
Main occupations of part-time light entrepreneurs
Light entrepreneurship accomodates to many different life situations.
Employee 50 %
Student 14 %
Retired 12 %
Unemployed 9 %
Other 15 %
Source: Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment publications 13/2017
Employer
Almost half of the employers of light entrepreneurs are not businesses.
Business 55 %
Private person 30 %
Municipality 7 %
Associations, organisations, educational establishments, political parties, congregations, farms 6 %
State 2 %
Source: Survey by Sitra and Eezy 2016 (N=1115)
The motives for light entrepreneurship
Light entrepreneurs are satisfied with their choice (the percentage of respondents that agree with the statement).
Light entrepreneurship fits with my current situation 85 %
Based completely on my previous expertise 82 %
I get to do what I enjoy 78 %
Light entrepreneurship works for me because of the light workload of my job 76 %
Source: Survey by Sitra and Eezy 2016 (N=1115)
Light entrepreneurship is generally occasional
Working as a light entrepreneur.
Occasional 61%
Full time 22%
Part-time 17%
Source: Survey by Sitra and Eezy 2016 (N=1115)
Future as a light entrepreneur
Three out of four people are planning on continuing as light entrepreneurs in a year’s time.
Are you planning on working as a light entrepreneur in a year’s time?
Most probably 49 % of the respondents
Yes, definately 27
I can not say 21
No 3
Source: Survey by Sitra and Eezy 2016 (N=1115)
Light entrepreneurs are satisfied with e.g. the easiness and entrepreneurlike working
What are you very satisfied with ?
- ”Ease, flexibility, freedom”
- ”Light bureacracy”
- ”The punctual payment of the salary”
- ”I can work from home at my own speed”
- ”An easy way to get started with ‘entrepreneurship’”
- ”An excellent way to earn extra income and maintain one’s expertise”
- ”I can decide when I do my work”
- ”The reedom to choose who to work for”
- ”More stress free, as there are no expenses if there is no work to be”
Source: Survey by Sitra and Eezy 2016 (N=1115)