Europeans are less entrepreneurial than Americans, says a survey published Monday by the European Commission in Brussels.
The survey of over 10,000 people on both sides of the Atlantic showed that nearly twice as many Americans (28 percent) are thinking of setting up their own business as Europeans (15 percent).
Nearly two-thirds (61 percent) of American respondents said they would prefer to be self-employed, compared to only 45 percent of Europeans, who preferred job security and a fixed regular income.
But would-be entrepreneurs in Europe said it was hard to find financial backing.
Nearly three-quarters of Europeans polled agreed that "it is difficult to start one's own business due to a lack of available financial support".
"If the EU is serious about encouraging more Bill Gates and Richard Bransons in the EU, then it must look to ease access to finance for entrepreneurs as well as improve the entrepreneurial environment in Europe," said Javier Echarri, who runs the European Venture Capital Association.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
