As of 2023, the number of self-employed business owners aged 50 and over has surged to 1.1 million – a notable increase of 89,000 compared to 2020. This growth has occurred despite the overall solo self-employed population decreasing by 154,000 during the same period.
The IPSE’s Self-Employed Landscape report highlights that 15% of these over-50 entrepreneurs started their businesses within the past three years. This trend underlines a growing enthusiasm among the older generation to embrace self-employment.
The report also sheds light on the economic impact of this sector, which saw its contribution jump by over £50 billion in 2023, reaching a total of £331bn. This marks a significant rebound after a decline in 2022.
While the sector remains predominantly male, with a 61% male to 39% female distribution, there has been a slight increase in the number of women entering self-employment. This aligns with a long-term trend of increasing female self-employment, which has grown by 63% since 2008, reflecting a steady shift towards gender diversity in the self-employed workforce.
IPSE’s director of policy, Andy Chamberlain, said:
“It’s clear that self-employment’s offer of independence and autonomy in work are particularly attractive to experienced professionals, especially if they have lost an employed role or have become disillusioned with the 9-to-5.
“The UK is fortunate to have a vibrant self-employed sector that offers a fresh shot at success to people at any stage in their careers, and we should celebrate the fact that tens of thousands more people – especially those over 50 – are doing just that.”
