The self-employed status now appeals to a younger population, more feminine and more diverse. President of Walter France and founder of the site dedicated to self-entrepreneurs MonEntrepriz, Pascal Ferron reviews the state of play of these transformations based on 2022 data published in the latest INSEE report.
In 20 years, between 2002 and 2022, the creation of individual businesses has quintupled. Since 2018, this increase is mainly due to self-employed people. Like traditional individual entrepreneurs, microentrepreneurs who launched their activity in 2022 are on average younger than in 2010. Indeed, a third of them are under 30 years old, compared to only a fifth twelve years ago. The share of women is also increasing : we are approaching parity. In 2022, 44% of microentrepreneurs are under 40 years old, and the median age is 41 years old, compared to 48 years among traditional non-employees. This trend illustrates a profound cultural change : starting a business is becoming an option considered earlier and earlier in career paths. According to INSEE data, 7% of young people entering the job market are already self-employed. This phenomenon is explained by the accessibility of the status, the possibility of testing an activity without heavy commitment, and the rise of new digital professions conducive to independence (community management, e-commerce, coaching, etc.).
Microentrepreneurship attracts more and more women
Another strong signal : the rise of women in microentrepreneurship. In 2022, 46% of microentrepreneurs are women, compared to 38% in 2010. This progression is particularly marked in certain sectors. Services for individuals : coiffure, beauty treatments, well-being, etc. Education and training : private lessons, academic support, adult training. Unregulated health activities : sophrology, dietetic, psychological support. Online commerce : clothes, jewelry, decoration, etc. Women choose microentrepreneur status for its flexibility, compatible with a family organization or another activity, but also for the autonomy it offers in time and project management and the great simplicity of administrative and reporting formalities.
A still marked income gap between the sexes
Despite their growing number, women continue to receive lower incomes than men, including equivalent status. In 2022, the average income of women microentrepreneurs is 600 euros per month, compared to 720 euros for men, a difference of 17%. This gap is partly explained by a different sectoral distribution (women being more present in low-income sectors), but also by a lower volume of declared activity : women work on average fewer hours per week than men (37,6 hours versus 45,7 hours). However, this average income is not really significant, since it hides extremely significant differences. Self-employed people, women or men, who “exploit” the authorized turnover thresholds to the maximum and who work full-time under this status, can reach €3,000 or €4,000 in monthly income, even more.
Varied trajectories : springboard, transition or diversification
The profile of young and women microentrepreneurs is far from uniform. INSEE distinguishes several logics. Additional activity : for 3 out of 10 microentrepreneurs, it is an income supplement to a salaried activity (especially in teaching, health or the arts). Professional transition : many test their entrepreneurial project before extending it full time. Extension of activity : some, especially retirees or mothers, choose this status to stay active at their own pace. The flexibility of the regime allows everyone to build a suitable trajectory. However, switching to a main activity often requires rethinking your economic model, a process that can be complex without support.
The key role of support
For these new profiles, the issues are multiple : balance personal and professional life of course, but also secure their social protection, plan their cash flow, train in the basics of management and anticipate the evolution of their activity. After a few months or a few years of activity, they will have every interest in calling on a business advisor to diagnose their activity, their profitability, and define a strategy for the future. “Self-entrepreneurship reflects the evolution of professional aspirations in France. The status of microentrepreneur is a springboard, or a complement, but when it’s a trial run, self-employed people must be careful to identify the most favorable moment to switch to a more ambitious status”, warns Pascal Ferron.
