Recent trends and policy priorities in inclusive entrepreneurship

Micro-businesses and the self-employed faced many challenges during from the COVID-19 pandemic, including reduced demand for their goods and services and a need to adjust business operations in response to temporary operating restrictions and social distancing measures. As a result, the majority faced a significant reduction in hours worked and income. However, evidence suggests that women, immigrant, youth and senior entrepreneurs faced even greater challenges because of their concentration in sectors that were the most heavily impacted and having less access to resources. Moreover, they often had greater difficulties utilising government emergency measures. This chapter presents evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the self-employed, including differences across population groups. It also discusses the role of inclusive entrepreneurship policies in addressing the economic crisis and how inclusive entrepreneurship policies should be strengthened in the future.