Own-account workers, female (% of female employment) in United States

United States: Own-account workers, female (% of female employment) was 5.0% in 2016. ▼ Falling

Latest (2016)
5.0%
Change on year
down 1.7%
World rank
169th
of 187 countries
All-time high
6.7%
in 1994
All-time low
5.0%
in 2016
Years of data
26
1991–2016

Own-account workers, female (% of female employment) in United States, 1991–2016

02461991200320161991: 6.21992: 5.71993: 5.81994: 6.71995: 6.61996: 6.51997: 6.41998: 6.11999: 5.92000: 62001: 62002: 5.82003: 5.92004: 5.92005: 5.72006: 5.72007: 5.62008: 5.42009: 5.52010: 5.42011: 5.32012: 5.42013: 5.42014: 5.22015: 5.12016: 5

Source: International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in March 2017.

Analysis

The most recent figure for own-account workers, female (% of female employment) in United States is 5.0%, measured in 2016. That is the lowest value across all 26 years on record.

The figure is down 1.7% on the previous year and down 12.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, own-account workers, female (% of female employment) in United States peaked at 6.7% in 1994 and was at its lowest, 5.0%, in 2016.

United States ranks 169th of 187 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 26 years of available data.

Own-account workers, female (% of female employment) in United States, year by year

Annual values for Own-account workers, female (% of female employment) (modeled ILO estimate) in United States, 1991 to 2016.
Year Value Change
1991 6.2%
1992 5.7% -7.1%
1993 5.8% +1.1%
1994 6.7% +15.5%
1995 6.6% -1.8%
1996 6.5% -1.2%
1997 6.4% -1.7%
1998 6.1% -4.1%
1999 5.9% -3.5%
2000 6.0% +1.7%
2001 6.0% -1.2%
2002 5.8% -2.6%
2003 5.9% +1.2%
2004 5.9% -0.4%
2005 5.7% -2.4%
2006 5.7% +0.5%
2007 5.6% -2.4%
2008 5.4% -4.3%
2009 5.5% +2.0%
2010 5.4% -1.5%
2011 5.3% -1.3%
2012 5.4% +2.0%
2013 5.4% -0.3%
2014 5.2% -3.6%
2015 5.1% -2.2%
2016 5.0% -1.7%

United States compared with similar countries

  • United States's 5.0% is below the median for high income countries, which is 7.1%, 71% of the median. (62 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 6.2% 5.7% 6.7% 9
2000s 5.7% 5.4% 6.0% 10
2010s 5.3% 5.0% 5.4% 7

Countries ranked near United States

  1. 166 Russia 5.1% compare
  2. 167 Luxembourg 5.1% compare
  3. 168 Ireland 5.1% compare
  4. 170 Germany 4.7% compare
  5. 171 Hungary 4.7% compare
  6. 172 Malta 4.5% compare

See the full ranking of 213 places →

More gender data for United States

All data for United States →

Frequently asked questions

What is own-account workers, female (% of female employment) in United States?
Own-account workers, female (% of female employment) in United States was 5.0% in 2016, according to International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in March 2017.
What is the highest own-account workers, female (% of female employment) recorded in United States?
The highest recorded value was 6.7% in 1994.
What is the lowest own-account workers, female (% of female employment) recorded in United States?
The lowest recorded value was 5.0% in 2016.
How does United States rank for own-account workers, female (% of female employment)?
United States ranks 169th out of 187 countries with data for 2016.
Is own-account workers, female (% of female employment) rising or falling in United States?
Over the last ten years it is down 12.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this United States data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in March 2017, published as part of Own-account workers, female (% of female employment) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Own-account workers, female (% of female employment) in United States. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in March 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2026, from https://gender.statizoid.com/stat/own-account-workers-female-percent-of-female-employment-modeled-ilo-estimate/united-states/

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About this data

Indicator
Own-account workers, female (% of female employment) (modeled ILO estimate)
Source
International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in March 2017
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
213 places, 5,537 data points, 1991–2016
Last refreshed

Own-account workers are workers who, working on their own account or with one or more more partners, hold the types of jobs defined as "self-employment jobs" and have not engaged on a continuous basis any employees to work for them. Own account workers are a subcategory of "self-employed".