In 2023, the growth in the number of independent workers will remain largely driven by self-employed workers

This growth continues to be driven by self-employed entrepreneurs (AE), who now represent 58,4% of the self-employed. However, although still strong, their growth is slowing (+8,0% in 2023 after +11,2% in 2022).

Growth in traditional IT is maintained at 1,3% in 2023 (after +0,9%), confirming the positive dynamics observed since 2021, while the previous eight years were marked by a continuous decline in staff numbers.

The increase in the number of self-employed workers is slowing in most sectors, linked to the slowdown in the number of self-employed workers. However, some sectors are particularly dynamic in 2023, such as other personal services, cleaning activities and other administrative and support services. Conversely, sectors such as postal and courier activities and wholesale trade are experiencing workforce declines, with marked declines.

The year 2023 continues the trend of feminization of the self-employed due to the greater presence of women among self-employed entrepreneurs (43% versus 38% among traditional ITs). Self-employed entrepreneurs are also younger than traditional ITs, with 52% of people under 40 years old (versus 29%).

The overall revenue of traditional IT in 2022* (86,6 billion euros) is up very slightly (+0,2%) while their average revenue falls by 0,2% to reach 45.308 euros in 2022. Taking into account inflation (+5,3% in 2022), this average revenue falls by 5,2% in constant euros.

68,3% of self-employed entrepreneurs registered at the end of 2023 reported positive turnover during the year. The overall income of self-employed entrepreneurs reached 14,5 billion euros in 2023, up 7,3% compared to 2022. However, the average income of self-employed entrepreneurs (7.540 euros in 2023) experienced moderate growth of 1,6% in current euros (after + 8,8%). Taking into account inflation (+ 4,8% in 2023), it shows a decrease of 3,1%. This decline is particularly marked in certain sectors such as real estate activities, while others maintain a positive trend despite inflation, such as the health and social action sector and the IT, information and communication sector.

In 2023, 28,6% of economically active self-employed people and 10,9% of traditional IT workers combined this with salaried activity either in the private or public sector.

* Unlike the income of self-employed workers, which is known through monthly or quarterly turnover declarations, the income of traditional self-employed workers is known later as part of the exploitation of data from the (annual) social and tax declaration of IT income. The data on the 2023 income of traditional ITs as of 31/12/2024 will be published in the first half of 2025 in a dedicated report.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.