The global economy is expected to strengthen over the next few years and regain its former growth trend. However, the crisis has left a number of major economic and social challenges, including persistent unemployment and growing inequalities. Nearly 26 million people in the European Union (EU25) were unemployed at the end of 2013, of which 12.6 million had been unemployed for more than one year. Moreover, one-quarter of the EU25 population is at risk of falling into poverty.

There is a common perception that the typical entrepreneur in the European Union (EU) is white, male, and wealthy. In reality, most entrepreneurs do not fit into this category but come from a wide range of backgrounds. Nevertheless, there are several social groups (e.g. women, youth, seniors, the unemployed and people with disabilities) that are under-represented in entrepreneurship or face greater barriers to starting businesses than people from the mainstream. With entrepreneurship making such a valuable contribution to economic growth and job creation, the EU cannot afford not to capitalise on the potential that people from under-represented and disadvantaged groups hold.

This reader’s guide provides information and methodological notes on the data sources used in this book: 1) OECD-Eurostat Entrepreneurship Indicators Programme, 2) Eurostat Labour Force Survey, 3) Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, 4) Flash Eurobarometer, and 5) Statistics on Income and Living Conditions.

Social inclusion is a longstanding policy priority for EU member states and the urgency for action has increased since the economic crisis as unemployment and labour market exclusion have increased. Entrepreneurship has the potential to be a part of the solution. Inclusive entrepreneurship policies aim to ensure that all members of society have an equal opportunity to start-up and operate in business and self-employment or to use the experience of engagement with entrepreneurship to increase their skills and employability. These policies aim to support those who face particular challenges in setting-up sustainable businesses – including women, youth, seniors, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities – but at the same time have under-recognised potential for entrepreneurship.