The number of self-employed individuals in the computer programming and consultancy services sector in Canada has demonstrated fluctuations over the past decade. From 2013 to 2023, the figures have varied, peaking in 2021. The current standing in 2023 is at 34.15 thousand units. The year-on-year variation in 2023 saw a decline of 2.35%, and the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the past five years indicates a modest average increase of 0.49%.

Looking ahead, forecasted figures show a gradual upward trend towards 2028, suggesting a CAGR of 0.51% and an overall forecast growth rate of 2.57% over the next five years. This indicates steady, albeit slow, growth in self-employment within this sector.

Future trends to watch for:

Impact of technological advancements and automation on self-employment opportunities.
Market demand for specialized programming languages and consultancy services.
Policy changes affecting freelance and gig economy workers.
Influence of remote work trends on the demand for self-employed IT professionals.