Evaluating the prevalence and distribution of dependent self-employment: some lessons from the European Working Conditions Survey

This article advances understanding of the prevalence and distribution of dependent self-employment. Analysing the 2015 European Working Conditions Survey of 35,765 employees in 28 European countries, the dependent self-employed are found to comprise 4.3% (1 in 23) of the EU workforce, 47% of all those reporting themselves as self-employed without employees and 31% of all self-employed. The prevalence of dependent self-employment, however, is found to have decreased since the previous 2010 survey, is not found to be concentrated among marginalised population groups and is significantly more likely in agriculture, forestry and fishing, arts, entertainment, recreation and other service activities, and the household services sector. The implications for theorising and tackling dependent self-employment are discussed.