New research shows that the UK is Europe’s most entrepreneurial major economy, with almost 10% of the population planning to strike out on their own.

The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2004, an international research group part funded by the Department of Trade and Industry, places the UK ahead of rivals Germany, France, Italy when it comes to entrepreneurial activity.

It also shows the gap between male and female entrepreneurs closing in the UK.

Key findings from the report show that:

• The UK now has an entrepreneurial rate which is higher than Germany, Japan, Italy and France, but lower than the US and Canada.




• The proportion of people expecting to start a business over the next three years has increased significantly from 7.8% of the population in 2002 to 9.5% in 2004.




• The north-south enterprise divide is narrowing. The gap between the most and least entrepreneurial regions is lower than ever with three regions, the North-East, East Midlands and Yorkshire and Humberside making significant progress.




• Women in rural areas are more entrepreneurial than women in urban and suburban areas.




• Entrepreneurial activity amongst most ethnic minority groups is substantially higher than for white people.

GEM compares data from 30-40 countries to compile its research.