At the beginning of Global Entrepreneurship Week, a study by Youth Business International (YBI), The Future Gazing Report, found that half of respondents believe starting up your own business is already a more viable career choice for young people than entering the traditional job market.
The survey by YBI of 100 founders of businesses two or more years old, also found that almost half expected the environment for start-ups to improve during the next two years, with only two forecasting decline.
Only 35 of those asked rated the environment for their particular business as good or very good and 34 admitted they had considered giving up and returning to a salaried job.
Andrew Devenport, chief executive of Youth Business International, said: "That two in five entrepreneurs cite global opportunities as being of importance reflects our own experiences of helping entrepreneurs set up in more than 30 countries."
Davenport added: "There is so much potential for growth when start-ups make global connections – be it to establish trading partnerships, replicate successful business models or to swap shared experiences."
UK business and enterprise minister Michael Fallon said: "Global Entrepreneurship Week is about celebrating our job creators. It provides a platform to promote enterprise and showcases the fantastic opportunities for entrepreneurs that exist in the UK."
Secretary of state for business, Vince Cable, said: "This year there were a record number of 4.8 million SMEs in the UK.
"That is welcome news, and we need to continue encouraging entrepreneurial spirit among people of all ages so they can turn their ideas into businesses."
Global Entrepreneurship Week (logo pictured) is a global inititiative that was first held in 2007, backed by then prime minister, Gordon Brown.
