While entrepreneurs may come from every demographic and situational background, each economy around the world has its own distinct entrepreneurship profile. This profile reveals who in a society most frequently starts a business—and who doesn’t. Those who are less likely to become entrepreneurs may be dissuaded in some way. This typically includes women, younger or older age groups, and those with lower income or less education. Besides these demographic characteristics, there may be those who have challenges due to their particular situations, such as veterans, migrants and refugees, and ex-convicts.

These populations may be underrepresented among the entrepreneurship ranks in an economy, yet they may otherwise benefit highly from this activity, particularly if they have few other work options, or if they have particular needs that entrepreneurship can accommodate. Additionally, society benefits from their participation when they pursue opportunities that others do not see and when they are generators rather than consumers of income. Entrepreneurship helps a society make the best use of its human capital and avoid negative consequences of idleness and frustration. (Read more…)

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