Being one’s own boss has become a defining career ambition in the modern workplace, with global data pointing to a strong shift towards self-employment aspirations.
TikTok hashtag data shows the popularity of the #beyourownboss trend, while broader workforce estimates suggest nearly half of the global working population is engaged in some form of self-employment.
A new global study by Remitly Business, which surveyed more than 5,000 people across 28 countries, highlights where entrepreneurial ambition is strongest, and what continues to hold people back.
The research found that nearly three-quarters (74.6%) of respondents globally would prefer to be self-employed rather than work for an employer. Kenya leads the ranking at 98%, followed by South Africa at 92.7% and Morocco at 90.7%.
Top 10 countries with a preference for self-employment
