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Two decades of European self-employment: Is the answer to who becomes self-employed different over time and countries?

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  • Cowling, Marc
  • Millán, José María
  • Yue, Wei

Abstract

•The gender gap in Old Europe has diminished significantly and is estimated to be as low as 6–7%.•The gender gap in New Europe remains large and could be as high as four times that in Old Europe.•The propensity to become self-employed increases in age past the common retirement age of 65.•The education structure of the self-employed is such that the lowest and highest educated both prefer self-employment.•Political and economic turmoil takes a generation to work its way through the system, but it is associated with higher rates of self-employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Cowling, Marc & Millán, José María & Yue, Wei, 2019. "Two decades of European self-employment: Is the answer to who becomes self-employed different over time and countries?," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 12(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobuve:v:12:y:2019:i:c:s2352673418300970
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbvi.2019.e00138
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