In 2013, larger proportions of informal businesses operated by men compared to women had the highest levels of turnover.<\/p>\n
Men comprise 55.4% of the sector, up from 39% in 2001.<\/p>\n
Whereas 18.6% of businesses operated by men had turnover of R3,001 – R6,000 in the month prior to the survey, only 9.6% of women had that level of turnover.<\/p>\n
As many as 19.5% of male operated businesses, compared to only 8.5% of those operated by women, had turnover above R6,000 in the month prior to the survey.<\/p>\n
The Agriculture industry had the largest proportion of people running informal businesses that had a turnover of R0 \u2013 R750 (46.6%) in the month prior to the survey.<\/p>\n
In contrast, 35.2% of people running informal businesses in the Transport industry had turnover of more than R6,000.<\/p>\n
![\"Individuals](\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/Individuals-running-informal-businesses.png\")
<\/a>Individuals running informal businesses<\/p><\/div>\n
The vast majority of people running such businesses (over 95%) had only one business.<\/p>\n
The proportion of people who had such businesses for five to ten years and ten years or longer increased over the period 2001 to 2013.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Length of time business operated<\/p><\/div>\n
The research indicated that 87% – 93% of individuals who ran informal businesses did so without a licence or permit.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Licence to operate<\/p><\/div>\n
The main reason why people decided to start an informal business was due to unemployment \u2013 ranging from as many as 60.6% who reported this reason in 2001 to 69.2% in 2013.<\/p>\n
As many as 79.1% of respondents did not have a current\/transactional or savings account, while only 19.7% had bank accounts.<\/p>\n
The survey also highlighted the educational profile of those people in the industry.<\/p>\n