Self-employment income in retailing, manufacturing, construction, and services in 2008

The number of self-employed in retailing, manufacturing, construction, and services (excluding healthcare professionals) reached 1.6 million in metropolitan France and the overseas départements (DOMs) in 2008. Their average business income was €28,400 a year but 13% had zero or negative income. Between 2007 and 2008, average income fell 3.4% in constant euros. The hardest-hit sectors were finance and insurance, real estate, and the legal professions. If we restrict the analysis to the self-employed who started their business before 2007 and were still in business after 2008, average income rose 1.1% in constant euros between 2007 and 2008.