In 2023, Germany had 102 thousand self-employed in Wholesale, Retail Trade, and Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles. Forecasts for 2024-2028 show a decline: stable at 101 thousand until 2025, dropping to 100 thousand through 2027, and 99 thousand by 2028. Year-on-year, there's a slight decline from 2025 onward. Over five years, the CAGR suggests a small negative trend.
Future trends to watch for include technological advancements affecting traditional business models, policy changes impacting self-employment viability, and the ongoing shift towards e-commerce, which may further decrease self-employment in traditional retail sectors.
