It is very important. The proportion of the working population that is self-employed increases with age.

According to the Office for National Statistics, whereas just 3.6% of those who were working aged 16-24 were self- employed in the 2nd quarter of 2008, the figure rose to 12.6% of those aged 25-49, to 17.3% for those 50 to state pension age, and to 22.6% for those who were still working past state pension age.

Across all age groups, more men are self-employed than women. Among those 50 to state pension age who were working, 22.6% of men were self-employed versus 9.3% of women. And of those who wereworking beyond state pension age, nearly four out of ten (38.5%) men were self-employed compared with 14.5% of women.

(October 2009)