This study has investigated the factors influencing the probability of women and men to be(come) self-employed. Starting from a lower self-employment preference combined with a lower self-employment prevalence rate for women, the present paper sets out to investigate the underlying mechanisms behind these gender differences, distinguishing between different ways in which gender can exert influence on selfemployment (preference). Findings show evidence of moderating and indirect effects of gender. An important finding is that the lower self-employment rate for women may largely be attributed to their lower self-employment preference.

An update version of the report is published on 5 dec. 2006: research paper H200622.