Self-employed and family workers

In the average for 2010, there were 475 400 self-employed (LFS), of whom 306 800 were men and 168 600 were women. The number of self-employed increased by 17 600 over the previous year, with both women and men affected equally (each +8 800). The distribution of self-employed in the average for 2010 is (similar to the distribution in the 4th quarter of 2010) as follows: Four out of ten self-employed had employees, whereas the remaining six managed without any.

88 200 persons were family workers in the year 2010 (42 100 men and 46 100 women). Altogether the number stayed at the same level over the previous year.

Trends in self-employment over the past 10 years show a steady increase in self-employment (by over 20% between 2000 and 2010, to even a higher extent for women than for men).

It should be noted, however, that the large scale restructuring of the LFS which took place in early 2004 entailed a noticeable disruption to the time series, which affects both longer term comparisons and, above all, the comparison of 2004 with 2003 figures.

Note: Under the Labour Force Concept (ILO definition), a person is considered to be employed if he or she worked for at least one hour in the reference week, or did not work due to holiday, illness, etc. but is normally in employment. A person is considered to be unemployed if he or she is not employed in the above sense, is taking active steps to look for work, and is able to start work at short notice. In principle, the data relates to the population living in private households without persons performing military or community service. People with valid employment contracts who are drawing maternity/paternity or child benefit are included.

Please consult our German website for tables and charts containing further information.