The Spanish labor market is undergoing a remarkable transformation: the number of self-employed individuals in Spain has increased by an impressive 106,654 people in the last four years, from May 2021 to May 2025, representing a growth of 3.2%. This surge is largely driven by two specific groups: self-employed individuals over 50 and women, as highlighted in the latest report from the National Federation of Associations of the Self-Employed (ATA).
Seniors as the Engine of Growth
The segment of self-employed individuals over 50 saw an increase of 176,078 people during the period. Within this group, those over 64 particularly stand out, with their numbers rising by 56,186 self-employed individuals – an impressive 39.6% growth compared to 2021. Lorenzo Amor, President of the ATA, explains this trend: “Undoubtedly, this growth is in many cases motivated by the raising of the retirement age and active retirement, an option that more and more self-employed individuals reaching their legal retirement age are choosing every day.”
This increase among older self-employed individuals more than offset the decline in the 30- to 49-year-old age group, which lost 72,881 contributors to the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA) in the last four years. A large portion of this decline, specifically 66.3%, affected those aged 40 to 44. Encouragingly, the ATA report also shows growth in the youth segment, with 23,457 new self-employed individuals under 30.
A Detailed Picture of the Self-Employed in Spain
The ATA study provides a comprehensive “X-ray” of self-employed individuals in Spain by age group. Those over 50 continue to lead, accounting for 47.2% of self-employed individuals contributing to social security, reflecting the aging of this workforce in the country. Those over 64 make up 5.8% of total RETA contributors (specifically 198,240 people), while those under 30 account for 7% of the total, with 240,346 self-employed individuals. The smallest group is those under 20, making up only 0.3% of the total population.
Women as a Driving Force Behind New Ventures
A particularly striking trend is the increasing role of women in entrepreneurship. Of the total 106,654 new self-employed individuals, 76,575 are women, representing a significant 71.8% of the total growth. The ATA emphasizes in its report that women are “much more entrepreneurial than men.”
The proportion of self-employed women has increased in almost all age groups over the last four years, with the exception of the 40- to 44-year-olds, where a decrease of 6,277 RETA contributors was observed. This decline, according to Amor, is often related to maternity and family care periods. Within the female group, the over 50 age group experienced the strongest growth, with 64,800 new RETA contributors.
Developments Among Male Self-Employed Individuals
As for the male self-employed group, their numbers have increased by 30,080 social security contributors in the last four years. This growth, according to ATA data, was consistent across all age groups. Nevertheless, the RETA saw a loss of 75,216 self-employed men in the 30- to 49-year-old age group. This decline was particularly pronounced among men aged 40 to 44, with a decrease of 42,009 contributors. Despite this, the number of both male self-employed individuals under 30 and seniors increased. The latter group gained 91,278 new male self-employed individuals in the last four years.
