In Austria, around 357,000 companies consisted of just one person in 2023 – that’s about 60 percent of all companies in this country.
The number of one-person businesses (EPU) continues to rise. The Chamber of Commerce (WKO) announced this yesterday in a press conference. 16 percent of sole proprietors run their company while they are already drawing a pension.
This proportion has not only increased in recent years. Sole proprietors stated that they founded their company at an average age of almost 37. For those who dared to take the step into self-employment in 2010 or later, the average age is over 41.
According to WKO more motivation than frustration
Regardless of age, the main reasons for starting a business are, according to the WKO, much more motivated than frustrated. Independence (80 percent), self-realization (76 percent) and flexible time management (70 percent) are the main factors, and dissatisfaction with the previous job (29 percent) also motivated some people to start a business, the WKO observed.
In their role as sole proprietors, they also had to contend with inflation last year. 45 percent of respondents said they had seen a decline in sales compared to 2022, adjusted for inflation.
Based on the survey, the WKO is calling for a further increase in the GWG limit from 1,000 euros to 2,000 euros. The Chamber is also repeating its call for less bureaucracy.
