During the first quarter of 2026, 148,005 self-employed workers exited, although some re-registered in the second quarter.
148,005 self-employed workers exited in the first quarter of 2026, according to the demographic business data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) on 9 October. The information, reported by iberoeconomia.es, also notes that some of these self-employed individuals re-registered by the end of the second quarter.
The analysed cohort started with 3,152,930 self-employed individuals at the beginning of 2026. By the end of the second quarter, 7.7% of the initial active individuals had exited, and 5.9% of those who exited in the first quarter re-registered.
The INE warns that a statistical exit does not equate to a definitive closure. The statistics, considered experimental, cross data from Social Security with the Central Business Directory and the census, allowing for the observation of exits, re-registrations, and activations that the net affiliation balance obscures.
The agency does not identify the causes of the exits. Possible factors include lack of profitability, loss of clients, rising costs, health issues, or taking up employment in the private sector. To understand the weight of each factor, it would be necessary to cross this data with economic activity, age, territory, and subsequent employment status.
For those wishing to start a business, this data serves as context rather than a forecast. It is advisable to calculate income and expenses, estimate how long the business can sustain itself without profits, and set aside funds for taxes and Social Security contributions.
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