The Global Entrepreneur Indicator, a bi-annual survey by the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), conducted in August, revealed median sales of global EO member companies are just under $5 million with a median full-time workforce of 25 employees. More than half of the 3,670 entrepreneurs surveyed in 47 countries — 1,356 of those respondents are based in the U.S. — reported an increase in business revenue, net profit and full-time jobs in the last six months.
When comparing data from August 2014 to August 2015, findings indicate a small uptick in the percentage of respondents who reported an increase in access to capital globally (1 percent) and in the U.S. (2 percent). Business owners reporting on debt loads also increased globally and in the U.S. equally year-over-year by one percentage point, which points to continued investment and increased borrowing. In the U.S., 3 percent more respondents reported an increase in net profits compared to last year. Also, the percentage of entrepreneurs globally who reported increased profits during the past six months remained steady at 61 percent.
The survey found a slight drop in global and U.S.-based outlook. Business owners globally who reported increased full-time (61 percent) and part-time (49 percent) hiring during the past six months dipped by 3 percent and 7 percent, respectively. In the U.S., entrepreneurs who reported full-time hiring dropped by 1 percent while those who reported part-time hiring dropped by 7 percent.
Optimism, however, remains high as 90 percent of respondents in the U.S. reported a willingness to start a new business in the current economic environment, which is a 2 percent year-over-year increase. Global findings, however, reveal a 2 percent drop in the percent of entrepreneurs (82 percent) who reported a willingness to start a business in the current economic environment.
Looking at respondents’ predictions for the upcoming six months:
- While 63% of respondents globally predict an increase in full-time hiring, 69 percent of U.S.-based entrepreneurs predict increase hiring in the future.
- In the U.S., while 8 out of 10 entrepreneurs are predicting an increase in net profits, 7 out of 10 are predicting the same globally.
- When gauging economic outlook, while 42 percent of U.S.-based entrepreneurs expect their country’s current economic environment to improve, only 16 percent expect it to deteriorate.
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Globally, while 72 percent of entrepreneurs are predicting their country’s economic environment to improve or stay the same, less than 3 out of 10 are predicting deterioration.
About the survey
The EO Global Entrepreneur Indicator Survey examines the current economic market and realities for entrepreneurs, and gives insight into their predictions for the next six months.
Nearly 3,700 of the more than 11,000 business owners that comprise the Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s membership responded to the August 2015 survey. Respondents represented 149 chapters from 47 countries. Participants were presented with 14 questions assessing current and projected economic health.
During the survey period, August 1 through August 31, 2015, responses were obtained by contacting members within each chapter to guide them to the survey materials. Reports were then issued to each of EO’s chapters around the world, based on the responses collected from each chapter’s members.
About the Entrepreneurs’ Organization
The Entrepreneurs’ Organization is a global, peer-to-peer network of more than 11,000 influential business owners with 153 chapters in 48 countries. Founded in 1987, EO is the catalyst that enables leading entrepreneurs to learn and grow, leading to greater success in business and beyond.
