Self-employment views around the world
The world of employment is changing. According to the World Bank1, nearly half (46.4%) of the world's working population is already self-employed, yet the conversation about becoming your own boss is loud, particularly online. On TikTok alone, the hashtag #beyourownboss has amassed 732,500 posts2. Remote and hybrid working habits have made going it alone more accessible than ever and on social media a steady stream of internet creators can make working for yourself look like the obvious (and most aspirational) move.
For some, that inspiration might be enough to finally take the plunge on a business idea they have been sitting on. For others, it starts smaller: a side hustle to bring in extra income or a freelance project that turns into something more. And many are just happy going to their 9-to-5. But how many people actually dream of being their own boss?
To find out, we surveyed more than 5,000 people across 28 countries on many aspects of the choice between working for yourself and working for someone else. Research like this allows us to understand what really makes entrepreneurs tick, such as those who use Remitly to send business payments internationally (opens in new window).
Remitly Business is supported for businesses based in the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Check Remitly's website for more details.
Key findings
- Nearly three quarters of people globally (74.6%) say they would like to be their own boss, with Kenya having the highest share at 98.0%, followed by South Africa (92.7%) and Morocco (90.7%).
- At the other end of the spectrum, Australia (40.6%), New Zealand (39.5%) and the Czech Republic (37.1%) have the highest share of people who prefer traditional employment.
- The top reason people want to work for themselves is independence and control over how they work (72.7%), while greater job security and benefits leads the case for traditional employment (61.7%).
- Despite widespread appetite, just a third of respondents (33.3%) said they were likely to take steps toward self-employment in the next 12 months, with not having a stable income cited as the biggest concern (56.5%).
- 84.0% say social media makes self-employment look more appealing than it actually is, and a similar number (81.0%) feel hustle culture places too much pressure on people to be constantly working or earning.
- More than half of aspiring self-employed people (58.1%) would want to work internationally (opens in new window) in some capacity.
The countries where people want to work for themselves the most
Globally, nearly three quarters of people say that, in an ideal world, they would prefer to be their own boss (74.6%) as opposed to working for someone else. That is a clear majority of people and the trend is true across every country we surveyed, with appetite for self-employment broadly consistent across gender and age groups.
Kenya (opens in new window) leads the country rankings, with 98.0% of respondents saying they would prefer self-employment over traditional employment. South Africa (92.7%) and Morocco (90.7%) follow closely behind, meaning African nations place firmly at the top.
India (90.0%), Mexico (84.0%) and the Philippines (82.8%) also rank highly. According to the ILO3, around 90% of India's workers are informally employed, a pattern reflected across many emerging economies where traditional employment offers limited stability or social protection. In markets like these, the pull toward independence is especially strong. If you are a business owner working with employees, contractors, or freelancers abroad, you can use Remitly to send business payments to India (opens in new window) from the US, UK, and Canada.
The United States also sits comfortably in the global top 10 (7th), with more than eight in ten (82.1%) respondents saying they would prefer to be their own boss. That is a higher share than the UK (68.7%), Germany (72.6%), Australia (59.4%) and Canada (79.5%), reflecting a distinctly American culture of entrepreneurialism.
Remitly's previous research into the world's most entrepreneurially-minded nations (opens in new window) had both South Africa and the USA ranking highly for ‘entrepreneurial spirit’, which is a finding that aligns with the high appetite for self-employment reported here.
Top 10 countries with a preference for self-employment
| Rank | Country | % Who Would Prefer to Be Their Own Boss |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenya | 98.0% |
| 2 | South Africa | 92.7% |
| 3 | Morocco | 90.7% |
| 4 | India | 90.0% |
| 5 | Mexico | 84.0% |
| 6 | Philippines | 82.8% |
| 7 | USA | 82.1% |
| 8 | Japan | 79.7% |
| 9 | Canada | 79.5% |
| 10 | Brazil | 76.6% |
Why people want to be their own boss
When we asked people who preferred self-employment what was driving that ambition, the most common answer globally was more independence and control over how they work (72.7%), followed closely by greater flexibility over when and where they work (68.7%), a better work-life balance (opens in new window) (60.3%) and pursuing a personal interest or passion (50.8%).
What stands out is that financial motivation, while present (48.2%), is not the primary reason. What people seem to want most is agency over how they work, not just a bigger paycheck.
The desire for autonomy also shows up further down the list through escaping micromanagement (36.8%) and toxic or stressful work environments (37.5%), which both featured in the top ten reasons globally and ranked even higher among US respondents. For many, self-employment is less a leap of faith and more a deliberate exit from working conditions that no longer suit them. The following table shows the top reasons people want to work for themselves globally. Respondents could select more than one option.
Top 10 reasons people want to be their own boss (global)
| Rank | Reason | % of Respondents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | More independence and control over how I work | 72.7% |
| 2 | Greater flexibility over when and where I work | 68.7% |
| 3 | Better work-life balance | 60.3% |
| 4 | To pursue a personal interest or passion | 50.8% |
| 5 | To increase my income | 48.2% |
| 6 | To challenge myself and grow personally or professionally | 40.8% |
| 7 | To escape a toxic or stressful work environment | 37.5% |
| 8 | To avoid being micromanaged / told what to do | 36.8% |
| 9= | Greater job security / control over my future | 24.9% |
| 9= | Dissatisfaction with traditional employment | 24.9% |
The countries where people prefer to be an employee the most
At the other end of the spectrum, a meaningful number of people around the world are quite happy being employed by someone else. Australia (40.6%), New Zealand (39.5%) and the Czech Republic (37.1%) have the highest shares of people who, given the choice, would prefer to work for someone else.
The Netherlands (36.3%), Ireland (31.8%) and the UK (31.3%) also rank near the top of this list, suggesting that in countries with stronger employee protections and more generous benefits, the case for employment remains compelling.
Top 10 countries with a preference for traditional employment
| Rank | Country | % Who Would Prefer to Work For Someone Else |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 40.6% |
| 2 | New Zealand | 39.5% |
| 3 | Czech Republic | 37.1% |
| 4 | Netherlands | 36.3% |
| 5 | Ireland | 31.8% |
| 6 | UK | 31.3% |
| 7 | Hungary | 31.2% |
| 8 | Chile | 31.0% |
| 9 | Belgium | 30.2% |
| 10 | Spain | 29.5% |
Why people prefer traditional employment
The case for traditional employment is largely about security and simplicity. Greater job security and and benefits such as retirement plans and paid sick leave are cited most frequently (mentioned by 61.7% of respondents), followed by lower financial risk (61.1%) and not wanting the responsibility of running a business (56.0%). Less stress or pressure ranks fourth (54.7%) and guaranteed income over flexibility fifth (47.1%).
The picture that emerges is one of stability over autonomy. Traditional employment appeals to those who value predictability in their income, their responsibilities and their day-to-day working lives.
For those in the U.S. who said they prefer the idea of employment, lower financial risk (72.2%) and not wanting the responsibility of running a business (63.9%) are the top two reasons, which varies from the global ranking of reasons and hints at a culture where the stakes of failure feel particularly real.
The following table highlights the top reasons people prefer traditional employment around the world. Respondents could select more than one reason.
Top 10 reasons people prefer traditional employment (global)
| Rank | Reason | % of Respondents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greater job security and benefits (e.g. pension, sick pay) | 61.7% |
| 2 | Lower financial risk | 61.1% |
| 3 | I don’t want the responsibility of running a business | 56.0% |
| 4 | Less stress or pressure | 54.7% |
| 5 | I value guaranteed income over flexibility | 47.1% |
| 6 | Clear structure, routine and expectations | 46.8% |
| 7 | Fewer responsibilities outside my role | 42.9% |
| 8 | I enjoy working as part of a team or organization | 34.0% |
| 9 | Opportunities for learning, development and career progression | 29.8% |
| 10 | I tried self-employment and it didn't work out | 6.0% |
Are workers prepared to make the move to self-employment?
Wanting to be your own boss and being ready to do so are two different things. In our research, among those who said they would prefer self-employment, we discovered a clear gap between aspiration and action.
When asked how likely they were to take steps toward self-employment in the next 12 months, just a third of respondents (33.3%) said they were likely or very likely to do so. A slightly larger share (36.5%) said they were unlikely or very unlikely.
In terms of confidence, over half of respondents globally (56.7%) said they felt confident or very confident about having the skills and knowledge needed to go it alone. But nearly a quarter (23.4%) were on the fence and one in five (19.9%) said they were not confident.
Confidence varied widely by country. Kenya topped the rankings with 91.4% of respondents feeling confident or very confident, followed by South Africa (80.5%), the Philippines (78.0%), India (75.3%) and Mexico (66.9%). At the other end of the scale, Japan had the lowest confidence levels at just 42.3%, with Portugal (47.5%), Hungary (47.2%) and the UK (48.8%) also sitting well below the global average.
When people were asked about their biggest worries surrounding self-employment, respondents pointed to financial concerns above all else. Not having a stable income (opens in new window) came out on top as the reason cited by the most respondents (56.5%), followed closely by concerns about finding enough work or clients (51.9%) and fear of failure (50.6%). Lack of job security (39.7%) and managing finances (opens in new window) or taxes (33.8%) also featured.
What factors could make people try self-employment?
For those who are employed but would ideally prefer to be their own boss, the question remains: what could be the nudge they may need?
The top trigger, mentioned by over half (56.0%) of respondents, was higher potential earnings. A strong business idea (opens in new window) or opportunity came second (49.8%), followed by a better work-life balance (39.9%) and greater flexibility over their time (39.4%).
Losing a current job would prompt a fifth (20.4%) of people to consider self-employment, suggesting that for some, being laid off can act as a catalyst rather than a setback. A further one in seven (14.2%) said feeling undervalued in their current role would be the tipping point. Notably, only 8.3% said nothing could make them consider it, reinforcing just how widespread the appetite for self-employment really is. Respondents could select multiple reasons in the following data.
Top 5 reasons for the employed to become self-employed (global)
| Rank | Reason | % of Respondents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Higher potential earnings | 56.0% |
| 2 | A strong business idea or opportunity | 49.8% |
| 3 | Better work-life balance | 39.9% |
| 4 | Greater flexibility over my time | 39.4% |
| 5 | Losing my current job | 20.4% |
How much more money would someone need to go self-employed?
When asked how much more money people would need to earn before considering the move, the bar is higher than you might expect. The most common answer was a pay raise of 26-50% more (32.1%), but a significant proportion set their sights much higher. As many as 22.9% said they would need to at least double their income and a further fifth (20.6%) said they would need to earn 51-99% more. Just 7.7% said an increase of 11-25% would be enough and virtually nobody (2.2%) would make the leap for 10% or less.
Taken together, more than half of respondents would need to see their income increase by at least 51% before seriously considering self-employment. For most people, going it alone is not a risk worth taking without a substantial financial reward to match.
Global perceptions of self-employment
Regardless of whether people are self-employed or simply interested in the idea of it, everyone has their own opinion on it. That’s why we also asked people around the world how they truly feel about self-employment, from how well the risks are understood, to how much outside forces such as social media are shaping public perception.
Among all respondents, over three quarters of respondents (78.1%) agreed that most people underestimate the risks of self-employment and more than six in ten (64.0%) said the current economic climate makes it feel riskier than it used to. That figure rose to nearly four in five in New Zealand (79.8%) and 74.1% in the UK, where the cost of living (opens in new window) and economic uncertainty appear to be weighing particularly heavily on people's perceptions.
Social media isn't helping the cause either. As many as 84.0% of all respondents said it makes self-employment look more appealing than it actually is and 81.0% felt hustle culture places too much pressure on people to be constantly working or earning. Nearly half (43.7%) went further, agreeing that the "be your own boss" narrative is frequently oversold and the reality is often disappointing.
On the other hand, more than half of all respondents (54.3%) felt that AI and technology are making it easier than ever to go self-employed. That optimism was strongest in India (83.2%) and Kenya (80.1%), where technology appears to be seen as opening doors that may previously have felt out of reach.
For those who have actually made the leap and are currently already self-employed, the reality is more nuanced than the fear or the hype might suggest. When asked how they feel about being self-employed, more than two thirds said it had been a positive experience, with two fifths (42.5%) saying it has been worth it despite the challenges and about a quarter (25.8%) saying it was one of the best decisions they have ever made. Just 4.7% said they regret it.
More than half keen to work internationally
For those who answered that they would want to be their own boss, ambition doesn't stop at the border. When asked how they would ideally operate their business, more than half of respondents (58.1%) said they would want to work internationally in some capacity, whether through a mix of local and international clients (opens in new window) (36.4%), a focus mainly on international clients (5.7%), or building a business that operates across multiple countries (16.0%). Only 35.8% said they would focus solely on their home market.
That appetite for cross-border working reflects a broader shift in how people think about their careers. Running a business internationally can bring its own complexity however, not least when it comes to moving money across borders.
Whether you're paying overseas suppliers (opens in new window), settling invoices with international contractors or managing freelancer payouts across different countries, having a reliable way to transfer money internationally (opens in new window) is helpful and that's where Remitly Business can support an entrepreneur's journey.
Where people considering self-employment would like to do business
| Rank | Preferred Business Model | % of Respondents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Work with a mix of local and international clients | 36.4% |
| 2 | Focus on work, clients or customers in my own country | 35.8% |
| 3 | Build a business that operates across multiple countries | 16.0% |
| 4 | Focus mainly on international clients or customers | 5.7% |
| 5 | Not sure yet | 6.1% |
Conclusion
Our data suggests that a majority of people around the world would prefer to be their own boss. But wanting independence and making it happen are two different things. Confidence, financial uncertainty and concerns about losing employee benefits all hold people back and many are not in the position to take concrete steps anytime soon.
Methodology
Using Prolific, we surveyed 5,105 adults across 28 countries, asking about all things self-employment versus traditional employment. Results were analyzed at both global and individual country level. Where percentages are cited, they reflect the proportion of respondents selecting each response option. For multi-select questions, percentages reflect the share of respondents who selected each option. Because respondents could select multiple answers, percentages do not sum to 100%. Some questions were only shown to specific groups (for example, reasons for wanting to be your own boss were only asked of those who said they would prefer self-employment). In these cases, percentages are based on respondents who were shown and answered the question. All data is accurate as of April 2026.
Sources
This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover all aspects of the topics discussed herein. This publication is not a substitute for seeking advice from an applicable specialist or professional. The content in this publication does not constitute legal, tax, or other professional advice from Remitly or any of its affiliates and should not be relied upon as such. While we strive to keep our posts up to date and accurate, we cannot represent, warrant or otherwise guarantee that the content is accurate, complete or up to date.Self-employment guides from Remitly
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