Evolution of self-employed workers in Spain: an increasingly female and international group

The group of self-employed workers in Spain continues to grow and evolve. Between June 2016 and June 2026, the total number of affiliates has increased from 3,231,941 to 3,463,806, representing a 7.2% growth.

More female self-employed workers

One of the most significant changes is the rise in female entrepreneurship:

• Female self-employed workers have increased by 10.4%.

• 71,746 new professionals have joined.

• They currently represent 37.5% of individual self-employed workers.

Conversely, the number of male self-employed workers has decreased by 2.4% during the same period.

Growing presence of foreign self-employed workers

The internationalization of the group is another prominent trend:

• Foreign self-employed workers have increased by 93.6% in the last decade.

• This represents 165,781 more affiliates.

• They have gone from representing 9% to 17% of the total group.

Changes in business structure

The way of entrepreneurship is also changing:

• Self-employed workers without employees have increased by 68,073 individuals.

• Self-employed workers with employees have decreased by 6.2%.

• Multiple job holding continues to grow: those combining wage employment and own business activity have increased by 83.4%.

Services continue to lead

Regarding distribution by sectors:

• The services sector concentrates about 75% of self-employed individuals.

• Construction has grown by 11.5%.

• Agriculture has decreased by 13.2%.

• Industry has reduced its weight by 12.4%.

The data shows that self-employment in Spain is now more diverse, more feminine, and more international than a decade ago. The growth of female entrepreneurs, the incorporation of foreign professionals, and the expansion of new forms of work are shaping a more flexible and adaptable business ecosystem to economic and social changes.