MONACO /PRNewswire/ -- Entrepreneurs are leading global job creation, with 47% of entrepreneurs expecting to increase their total global workforce this year. This is according to the EY global job creation and youth entrepreneurship survey 2015, a study into the impact entrepreneurship has on the global jobs market that asked 2,345 entrepreneurs about their hiring plans. The survey also asked 2,807 young people about their entrepreneurial ambitions and found that more than half of young people (65%) want to be entrepreneurs at some point in their careers.

Entrepreneurs lead job creation

While 47% of entrepreneurs globally expect to increase their total workforce in the next 12 months, this rises to 77% among those that have competed in EY's Entrepreneur of the Year Program worldwide. These figures from entrepreneurs contrast strikingly with the hiring plans of senior executives at large corporates, with 29% of them expecting to create jobs in the next year, as reported in EY's recently released Global Capital Confidence Barometer.

Mark Weinberger, Global Chairman & CEO of EY, says:

"The global economy is on the road to sustained recovery, but growth is slow. One often missed opportunity to fuel growth is empowering and supporting entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs continue to defy global trends in their levels of economic confidence and plans for workforce expansion, and this survey clearly shows that. Governments and business should work together with entrepreneurs to create the right ecosystems for success."

Job growth driven by soaring confidence

The survey shows entrepreneurs have had a dramatic uptick in positive sentiment toward the economy, with 71% reporting confidence in the economic direction of their domestic market and 66% confident in the economic direction of the global economy (up from 46% in the 2014 survey).

There is, however, clear geographical deviation, with China (95%), India (90%) and Middle East/North Africa(MENA) (90%), showing the highest confidence in the global economy, and France (52%), Australia (51%) andJapan (49%) showing the lowest, which is a reflection of overall economic conditions in those geographies.

Despite rising confidence, entrepreneurs are mindful of the risks, citing negative market conditions as the top perceived business threat (31%), suggesting that global instability is still on the radar of the world's businesses. In the UK (29%) and Germany (35%), red tape/bureaucracy is cited as the number one perceived threat, while in the US a skills shortage is singled out as the top business threat (27%).

Hiring is increasingly international

Entrepreneurs are increasingly looking abroad to expand their workforces, with 47% expecting to do so in the next year. Emerging markets lead the way, with global hires most likely in MENA (74%), China (68%) and India(63%). Young entrepreneurs are more likely to hire abroad than older ones, with 69% of those under 35 expecting to hire globally in the next year. This is despite a lack of access to funding (43%) and negative economic factors (43%) that were reported as key barriers by our youth respondents.

The sectors most likely to hire internationally in the next year are cleantech (75%), followed closely by biotech/pharma (74%), with professional services (26%) and transportation, travel and tourism (15%) the least likely.

Maria Pinelli, EY's Global Vice Chair of Strategic Growth Markets, says:

"Entrepreneurs have always been pioneers looking for new opportunities, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and helping the global economy work better through their innovations and drive.

"Their appetite to hire abroad, especially among younger entrepreneurs, shows that today's marketplace is a global one, and creates huge opportunities for entrepreneurs with the right ideas, the right support and the determination to grow. It's clear that entrepreneurs aren't the only ones who benefit when they start a business, so it's vital that governments, corporates and entrepreneurs work together to create an environment that encourages and nurtures the entrepreneurial job creators of tomorrow."

Entrepreneurs are focused on leaving a legacy

The survey finds that entrepreneurs are driven by more than financial gain. Thirty-eight percent cite leaving a positive legacy behind as the "top driver for starting a business outside of goals relating to turnover and profitability". Other key motivations include making a positive contribution to the wider community (36%) and inspiring others to follow their aspirations (32%).

Entrepreneurs also show a strong commitment to supporting and nurturing young people.

Forty-one percent are providing internships and apprenticeships, peaking at 61% in China. Entrepreneurs that have competed in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Program worldwide are ahead of the curve in this respect, being almost twice as likely to mentor young people, or provide internships and apprenticeships compared to the rest of the world's entrepreneurs.

Young people have entrepreneurial ambitions, but need support

For the first time this year, we talked to 2,807 young people aged 18 to 25 in education or involved in the jobs market, to get an idea of their career aspirations and find out how entrepreneurship fits into their plans. Many have entrepreneurial ambitions, with 65% planning to run their own business at some point in their careers, 27% immediately and 38% after working for someone else first. Indeed, one in four (25%) of young people have already started drawing up a business plan.

Notably, what young people with entrepreneurial ambitions most value is guidance and support from today's entrepreneurs. A "hands-on" internship and mentoring from a leading entrepreneur are seen as the most likely to help them fulfill their goals (39%). It is striking therefore that only 36% say they feel they get enough support from local entrepreneurs, despite 79% of entrepreneurs feeling they do enough to support young people.

At EY, we support youth with entrepreneurial ambitions, through the alliances and initiatives we partner with around the world such as Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, Endeavour and Youth Business International, and the 40,000 young people a year we hire and train.

Funding is the biggest barrier to success

In forging ahead with their business aspirations, young people are very much aware of the challenges they face. Topping the list of barriers that could prevent young people from fulfilling their ambitions is a lack of access to funding and negative economic factors (both 43%). Other barriers include competition (25%) and lack of self-belief (25%).

Weinberger concludes: "With an estimated 75 million unemployed young people around the world, we must harness the ambition and optimism displayed by youth or we risk a lost generation of young people, with long-term personal and economic costs. There is an urgent need for business leaders, entrepreneurs and policy-makers to offer young people the support they need to fulfill their potential, through funding, but also through hands-on support, mentoring, job opportunities and on-the-job training."

For the full report click here.

Notes to Editors

About EY

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The EY global job creation and youth entrepreneurship survey 2015

The EY global job creation and youth entrepreneurship survey 2015 was conducted online in March 2015 with an independent panel of global entrepreneurs and young people in 13 key global markets, as well as input from 201 the world's most dynamic entrepreneurs – EY Entrepreneur Of The Year participants. The results are based on the responses of 2,345 entrepreneurs and 2,807 young people in Germany, China, India, France, Brazil, Japan,Australia, Canada, the UK, the US, Sub-Saharan Africa, MENA and Mexico. The young people are a combination of students, workers in their first role or those looking for work, providing an accurate snapshot of the real-world aspirations of the global youth population. Opinion Matters, part of the markettiers4dc group of companies in the UK and overseas, conducted the research for the EY Global Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The research and adheres to strict industry codes of conduct and ICC/ESOMAR global market research guidelines.

About EY's Global Capital Confidence Barometer The EY Global Capital Confidence Barometer is a biannual survey of more than 1,600 senior executives from large companies around the world and across industry sectors. This is the 12th semiannual Barometer in the series, which began in November 2009; respondents for the 12th edition were surveyed February and March. The objective of the Barometer is to gauge corporate confidence in the global and domestic economic outlook, to understand boardroom priorities in the next 12 months and to identify emerging capital practices that will distinguish those companies building competitive advantage as the global economy continues to evolve.

About EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™
EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.

Will Brewster
EY Global Media Relations
+44 (0) 7552 283 276
[email protected]