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The Daily

The Daily. Tuesday, January 29, 2002

Survey of Self-employment

2000

Nearly one worker out of six was self-employed in 2000, and most of these individuals became and remained self-employed by choice, according to the first results from the Survey of Self-employment.

The survey was conducted in April 2000 by Statistics Canada on behalf of Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). It collected data on the socio-demographic characteristics of the self-employed, as well as the hours they work, previous work experience, participation in dental, health and disability plans, income security, and their attitudes towards self-employment.

According to the Labour Force Survey, nearly 2.3 million individuals were self-employed in December 2001.

For almost 80% of individuals, the transition to self-employment was made voluntarily, according to the survey. The remainder, slightly more than 20%, reported that they became self-employed because of a lack of suitable paid employment opportunities. Overall, a majority said they would not leave self-employment for paid employment.

Those who said they were remaining self-employed by choice were more likely to have a university degree, to be employers and to have been in business longer.

The self-employed, both men and women, regarded "entrepreneurial values" as the aspect they liked most about self-employment. However, a close second for women was the flexible hours or the ability to work from home that self-employment allowed.

What self-employed people disliked most were: uncertainty and insecurity (reported by 22% of respondents); long hours and no time off work (15%); income and cash flow fluctuations (12%); and lack of benefits (7%).

About 40% of the self-employed had supplementary health insurance, one-third had dental insurance, and 40% were covered by disability insurance. The rates of health and dental insurance coverage were lower for self-employed individuals than for employees, a majority of whom have these benefits.

During the year prior to the survey, nearly 80% of the self-employed undertook some form of work-related, informal learning activities, such as discussions with colleagues, observing colleagues demonstrate their skills, and studying manuals or books. More than one-quarter of the self-employed undertook formal training.

Results from the Survey of Self-employment in Canada is available today on HRDC's Web site at: (http://www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/arb/publications/list.shtml). For more information on the report, contact HRDC Media Relations (819-994-5559).

The Results from the Survey of Self-employment in Canada public-use microdata file (71M0017XCB, $1,000) is also available today. For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this survey, contact Client Services (1-888-297-7355; 613-951-7355; fax: 613-951-3012; ssd@statcan.gc.ca), Special Surveys Division.



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Date Modified: 2002-01-29 Important Notices