While I was researching my book I built up this list of stats.

Some surprising statistics!

UK MICRO-BUSINESS STATISTICS

The Numbers

* 5.2 million micro-businesses in the UK (95% of all UK businesses)
* 8.64 million people employed by micro-businesses (31% of private sector employment)
* £1.1 trillion contribution to UK turnover (20% of the £5.5 trillion total)

Why They Start

* 26% started to be their own boss
* 23% started to pursue their passion
* £10,000 average startup capital
* 1/3 started with less than £5,000

The Financial Reality

* £20-35k typical owner income per year
* No employees: median profit £6,000
* Micro (1-9 employees): median profit £15,000
* 30% have less than 4 months cash reserves
* 30% have 5-6 months cash reserves (considered healthy)
* 16% have ZERO cash reserves
* 1 in 6 don't understand the term "cash runway"

The Workload

* 45-51 hours average working week
* 6-7 days per week worked (over half of owners)
* Average holiday: 20 days/year (vs 28 statutory)
* Equals 17-25 days unpaid overtime annually

The Survival Stats

* Year 1: 80% survive (20% fail)
* Year 3: ~60% survive (40% fail)
* Year 5: 40% survive (60% fail)
* Year 10: 30-36% survive (64-70% fail)
* 8.7 years average business age
* Only 11.6% survive more than 20 years

What Holds Them Back

* 71% cite 'lack of time' as the number one barrier to launching
* 31% suffer from 'lack of money' in business
* 24% feel held back by fear
* 38% afraid of having to close and get a "real job"

The Mental Toll

* 50% experienced poor mental health in past 12 months
* 59% suffer from anxiety
* 38% experience depression
* 33% report burnout
* 22% experience loneliness
* 44% struggle with sleep (1/3 get <5 hours/night)
* 51% wouldn't disclose mental health as reason for time off
* 41% cite 'financial worries' as biggest mental health impact
* 80% report business negatively impacts personal life

What They Need

* 18% place support with 'business side of things' as their number one need
* 43% need help making their business more visible
* 92% agree mentors have direct impact on growth and survival

Yet Despite All This...

* 72% of small business owners feel optimistic about the future
* 92% don't regret starting their business
* 95% would start another business (even those with depression)