Intentions and Barriers of Youth Entrepreneurship in Belarus

Purpose: The primary purpose of this paper is to analyze the entrepreneurial attitude and intentions of young people in Belarus and provide insights into the factors that respondents perceive as barriers to start-up activities. Design/Methodology/Approach: The survey of respondents was conducted through popular social networks in the region by filling out a questionnaire on the Internet. The sample group consisted of 179 people aged 17-35 years. The data gathered in the research were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings: As a result of our research, we have found that a high percentage of young people in Belarus have a very positive attitude towards self-employment and a high level of intentions to implement business projects. Despite relatively high implications to entrepreneurship, their activity is low. A detailed analysis of the causal relationships between barriers and the low level of business ideas and projects indicates a lack of entrepreneurial literacy among young people, which is accompanied by limited funding opportunities for start-up projects. Practical Implications: The research results are qualitatively, analyzed feedback from young people on the problems of low entrepreneurial activity which can be used to develop government measures to stimulate the private sector. In addition, the results provide a reasonable basis for further research on the role and relationship of financial and educational barriers to youth entrepreneurship. Originality/Value: Youth entrepreneurship in Belarus is poorly studied. The present research is an independent and comprehensive analysis of entrepreneurial activity among young people in one of the regions of Belarus.