A Third of French People Engaged in Entrepreneurship, but Facing Constraints

A significant rise in business creations

Entrepreneurship has never involved so many French citizens, yet it doesn't necessarily translate into a more robust economic fabric. According to the latest data from the French Entrepreneurial Index (IEF), 34% of the population is now part of the entrepreneurial chain, whether as active freelancers, project holders, or individuals expressing an intention to start a business. This high level, up by two points since 2021, suggests that entrepreneurship has become a lasting feature of the French economic landscape.

This momentum largely stems from the rise of the micro-enterprise regime. In 2024, the number of active self-employed individuals is growing by 7.7%, compared to only 1.5% for traditional sole proprietorships. Over five years, the gap is even more pronounced: a 65.2% increase for self-employed, versus a 2.9% rise for conventional entities. However, the growth in the number of freelancers is accompanied by a less visible trend: the rise of inactive entrepreneurs, whose numbers have grown even faster, increasing by 10.9% in one year and 108.6% over five years.

This polarization highlights a structural fragility. According to Insee, only 28% of micro-entrepreneurs remain active five years after starting their business, compared to 63% for traditional sole proprietorships. The micro-enterprise model thus acts as a significant gateway to independence, but also serves as a quick exit for a substantial portion of new business creators.

The demographic profile reinforces this observation. Active self-employed entrepreneurs are noticeably younger than their traditional counterparts: 45.5% are under 40 years old, compared to 29% among sole proprietorships. Conversely, 44.5% of traditional self-employed individuals are over 50. Among inactive entrepreneurs, nearly 65% are under 40, reflecting a rapid but unstable renewal of the entrepreneurial population.

On the sectoral level, the dominance of micro-entrepreneurship is particularly pronounced in services. Self-employed entrepreneurs make up an average of 51% of active independents, reaching up to 70% in personal and business services or in distance selling. They account for 59% of service activities, compared to 33% for traditional businesses, but are less prevalent in traditional retail. Additionally, liberal professions are showing faster growth than artisans and traders, both in the traditional scheme (+2.8% in 2024) and in the micro-enterprise scheme (+8.9%).

Persistent Sectoral and Territorial Differences

Territorial disparities persist. Île-de-France remains the most dynamic region, with a 6.5% increase in independent workers, followed by Hauts-de-France, Occitanie, and Brittany, all experiencing growth between 5.7% and 5.8%. This geographical trend confirms that new business formations are rooted in the most urbanized economic areas, but also in certain regions undergoing transformation.

Sectoral data finally reveal a service economy under strain. In traditional businesses, social action, business consulting, cleaning, and financial activities drive growth, while home delivery, market sales, and agriculture decline. Among self-employed individuals, road transport, moving services, and cleaning see strong growth, contrary to delivery services and wholesale trade.

In the background, the momentum of company creation remains strong. In October 2025, 116,570 businesses were founded in France, with significant concentrations in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, and Occitanie. By the end of 2024, Urssaf recorded 4.821 million active independent workers. This unprecedented figure confirms the enduring appeal of independence, but raises questions about the current model's ability to convert this momentum into sustainable entrepreneurial paths.