SELF-EMPLOYMENT OF THE POPULATION: ESSENCE, MEANING, DEVELOPMENT TRENDS AND DIRECTIONS OF REGULATION

The article examines the problems of functioning of self-employment of the population as an alternative form of employment, assesses and compares the number and share of self-employed persons in the countries of the European Union and in Ukraine. It is concluded that self-employment is widespread in most European countries, in connection with which the issue of finding ways to increase the efficiency of work of persons belonging to this category of employed persons becomes particularly relevant. It is also noted that in Ukraine the concepts of “informal employment” and “informally employed population” are more widely used (both in scientific publications and from the point of view of statistical research methodology). The need for a clearer interpretation and distinction of the essence of the concepts of “informal” and “self-employment” is emphasized, the factors that directly or indirectly influence the development and spread of self-employment of the population are characterized. The negative consequences of the excessive prevalence of informal employment are also mentioned, including its unorganized, unmanaged nature, imbalances in the employment structure, and a reduction in the tax base of personal income. The expediency of considering the entrepreneurial activity of the population as the most progressive form of self-employment is substantiated. It was emphasized that the development of small businesses begins precisely with the entrepreneurial activity of self-employed individuals, who mainly need financial or consulting support to implement their business ideas. Based on the analysis, possible ways of increasing the efficiency of this form of employment, labor productivity of the self-employed are outlined, and the need for its «de-shading», state regulation and support is substantiated. More detailed justification is required for applied aspects of financial support for small businesses, directions for organizing training for the self-employed in the basics of business, and tools for facilitating access to markets for goods and services produced by self-employed persons.