A recently released study sheds light on the evolving landscape of self-employment among women in Canada, revealing a significant shift over the past four decades. According to the report, in 2022, women constituted 37% of the self-employed workforce, a stark increase from the 26% recorded in 1976. Despite this growth, women in traditional employment roles still lag behind men in entrepreneurship, with only 11% of employed women being their own bosses compared to 16% of employed men.
A notable revelation is the stability in the types of self-employed occupations held by women, echoing trends observed over the past three decades. The top occupations in 2022, including retail and wholesale trade managers, early childhood educators, and hairstylists, mirrored those from the late 1980s. This consistency highlights a persistent gender-specific labor market segregation.
Despite this stability, there has been a noteworthy shift away from unpaid family work among self-employed women. While 34% were engaged in unpaid family work in 1976, this figure plummeted to 1% in 2022, reflecting a departure from historical norms.
The study illuminates a gender-specific labor market divide, as self-employed women continue to dominate female-centric roles such as childcare providers. In contrast, self-employed men predominantly occupy historically male-dominated occupations, with roles in home building, renovation management, agriculture, and transportation.
Moreover, data reveals that self-employed women are more likely than men to operate solo, with 80% of women having no paid employees compared to 68% of men. Additionally, a lower percentage of self-employed women (34%) were incorporated, compared to their male counterparts (54%). However, there’s a discernible upward trajectory in the proportion of incorporated self-employed women without employees, rising from 3% in 1976 to 19% in 2022.
The study indicates a notable age-related trend in self-employment among women. The self-employment rate among women aged 15 to 24 has decreased from 5% in 1976 to 2% in 2022. Conversely, for women aged 55 and older, the self-employment rate has risen from 14% to 18%, reinforcing a historical pattern.
Analysis of the 2021 Census of Population data also unveils minimal differences in self-employment rates between racialized and non-racialized, non-Indigenous women. However, disparities emerge within racialized groups, with Korean women leading at 20%, while Filipino and Black women trail at 5% and 6%, respectively.
Similarly, variations in self-employment rates are observed among Indigenous women, with First Nations women off-reserve at 7%, Métis women at 10%, and Inuit women at 4%.
As the entrepreneurial journey continues to evolve, understanding these dynamics becomes crucial for fostering inclusivity and creating pathways for diverse and equitable opportunities in the workforce.