The number of unincorporated self-employed is down, according to a report by one small business advocacy group.
That conclusion came in the 2016 economic outlook report by the Chief Economist of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council.
Raymond J. Keating (pictured) reported that the number of self-employed is an important indication of the status of startups and entrepreneurship. It’s one of several signals that the U.S. economy’s recovery has not been robust since the Great Recession. It’s also one of several reasons that the economic outlook for 2016 is one of “diminished expectations” unless U.S. policy changes, he said.
Keating cited figures showing the number of self-employed that are unincorporated businesses dropped in the past month. But significantly, he noted that the number is more than one million lower than pre-recession numbers in 2006:
“After a big bump up in October, the number of unincorporated self-employed dropped in November. The November level stood at 9.423 million. That was down from the intra-year high registered at 9.97 million in May; down from 9.543 million in November of last year; and far removed from the pre-recession high of 10.86 million registered in December 2006. Meanwhile, incorporated self-employed (with data not seasonally adjusted) came in at 5.692 million in November 2015, which was up compared to 5.585 in November of last year; and 5.037 million in November 2010. However, this latest month’s numbers were down versus 5.872 million in November 2008 and 5.835 million in November 2007.”
According to Keating’s report, economic growth comes from entrepreneurs who take risks and invest in the economy.
Recent policies have raised costs and diminished the incentives to take risks and invest, said the report. Policies that increase costs include regulations in the areas of labor, EPA, healthcare and lending. Other contributors include higher taxes; abandonment of free trade; monetary policy that has added uncertainty to businesses and investors; and government spending and debt.
This report follows on figures covered last month by Professor Scott Shane. They suggest the number of new businesses employing others also has dropped.
Citing figures from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS) database, Professor Shane called the number of new businesses that employ others and create jobs “disappointing.” He noted:
“The figures show a disturbing trend. Americans are creating companies with paid employees at roughly half the rate they did 35 years ago. New employer firms accounted for 16.5 percent of all employer firms in 1977, but only 8.0 percent in 2013. In 1977, Americans founded 2.6 new employers for every thousand people. By 2013 that rate was down to 1.29.”
Remember, the groups Keating and Shane point to are two different types of classifications of small businesses. In one sense, it’s like comparing apples and oranges. However, viewed together the data isn’t all that positive about entrepreneurship and small business growth.
Image: SBE Council website
This confirms some of what I noticed the past few months. New business formations have wane. On the flip side there is still excitement on new business ideas as well as new products/services.
Lots of excitement … because so many entrepreneurs are optimists. Like me. I get myself all excited just thinking about some new idea. 🙂
Looks a bit depressing at first. But this also means plenty of new opportunities for those wanting to become a business owner by next year.
Anita,
Have you heard about the term, Professional Employer Organization? It is a business form between self-employed and employee. Where do these numbers fit in, in the outlook report?