Non-agricultural self-employment as a factor of economic inclusion of the rural population

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to identify and assess the economic situation of the working rural population in the years 2013-2016, with particular attention to the households of the self-employed. Unpublished unit data from BGD GUS and REGON, as well as secondary data sources were used in the paper. For each occupational group, income, expenditure and savings were compared.
It was determined that the highest income in rural areas was obtained by households, composed mostly of non-physical workers, while the lowest income was generated by blue collar workers. The good economic situation of the self-employed households from outside the agricultural sector was observed, which improved significantly in the years 2013-2016, although it varied from one household to another. The importance of this form of employment in rural areas has been emphasised.