A survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation shows that many people are interested in starting a business. Whether this actually happens is another question, however.
According to a survey, 40 percent of young people in Germany can imagine starting their own business. Eleven percent of 14- to 25-year-olds surveyed nationwide said they were already planning to start a business and 29 percent said they were not quite sure yet. This was the result of a representative survey commissioned by the Bertelsmann Foundation.
When asked whether they could conceivably start a business by their 30th birthday, a third of the almost 1,700 respondents answered that they could not imagine it at the moment, but that they did not rule it out either. The study was conducted in June 2023 and between February 23 and March 24, 2024. For a good quarter, a role as a founder is therefore not an option. The foundation in Gütersloh concluded that the younger generation has potential for more start-up activity in Germany. In order to achieve this, barriers must be removed.
Promote entrepreneurial thinking earlier
The analysis assumes that uncertainty, stress and a lack of knowledge prevent many young people from starting a business. It is important to encourage entrepreneurial thinking and action at an early stage – even at school, for example through workshops. It also shows that male young people are more likely to plan to start a business than female young people. And interest is higher in big cities than in places with a maximum of 5,000 inhabitants.
The fact that 40 percent are interested in starting a business is initially good news. In reality, however, far fewer young people are likely to actually take this step, it was said. In 2023, only just under one in six people between the ages of 18 and 24 in Germany will have founded a company.
Other hurdles include a lack of confidence and knowledge deficits
Of those surveyed who cannot imagine themselves as founders, around a quarter attribute this to a lack of confidence in their own skills and the associated uncertainty. Around one in five people doubt that they have the necessary knowledge. From the foundation’s point of view, information about starting a business should be targeted at young people, especially via social media channels.
And: “Easier access to start-up capital would be helpful for young entrepreneurs. More start-up grants, cheaper loans and start-up funds specializing in young people can contribute to this.”
Source: Stern
