Characteristics & determinants of self-employed women in Australia

Abstract

Recent years have seen a strong growth in female employment and, with it, a rise in the level of female self-employment. Between 1985 and 1999 the latter increased by 25.6 per cent. By 1999 women accounted for nearly one third (31.3 per cent) of all (unincorporated) self-employed workers. Notwithstanding the strong growth in the level of female self-employment and their importance within this sector, little is known or understood about female self-employment. This paper makes a modest attempt to fill this gap. Using shift-share analysis as well as multivariate techniques the paper examines the incidence, growth and characteristics of self-employment disaggregated by gender. Comparisons are made in relation to wage and salary employment.