How Solopreneurs Operate: Where in the World Do Solo Pros Thrive?
A closer look at the rise of solopreneurship in America, Africa, Europe, and Asia
Edited by Damian Ghigliotty
Solopreneurs—independent business owners who run their ventures without employees—are helping shape modern global economies. There are an estimated 150 million+ solopreneurs around the world today providing niche services.
From marketing pros and e-commerce store owners to day traders and business coaches, many of these solo entrepreneurs are utilizing tech in smart ways to enable them to work from virtually anywhere in the world.
But how much does location matter for solopreneurs? A whole lot.
While generative AI and other tools make it easier for professionals to operate globally, geography still plays a crucial role in determining business success. Market opportunities, cultural differences, legal and financial regulations, and even time zones can impact how solopreneurs work and grow their businesses.
In this series of articles we’ll explore how different regions around the world support soloists, using recent data and expert insights to understand where they thrive. Over the coming months, How Solopreneurs Operate will publish individual articles on emerging hubs and market opportunities in America, Africa, Europe, and Asia.
These reports will provide our readers a more detailed look at geographic considerations for independent business owners in 2025.
The Fast Growth of Global Solopreneurship
Solopreneurship is far from a niche career path. It’s a booming global trend for many professionals.
There were 5.2 million small business applications filed last year in the United States 🇺🇸—the world’s largest economy—following 2023’s record 5.5 million. Among these new founders are a rising number of nonemployers who operate profitable companies on their own.
A few more staggering stats: Solopreneurs ran 84% of American businesses in 2020, up from 76% in 1997, per Intuit QuickBooks. Surveys suggest this count is even higher today. These sole operators contribute more than $1.3 trillion to the U.S. economy alone. Factor in 190+ other countries and total figures point to a rising solo workforce globally.
A Sneak Peek at Leading Geographies
In our upcoming articles, we will take a deeper dive into four continents and analyze how they differ in their support of solopreneurs. Here is a preview of what’s coming:
1. America’s Growing Innovation Hubs 🇲🇾🇨🇦🇲🇽
The U.S. had approximately 82,000 startups in late 2024, leading globally in startup activity. Despite high costs, the U.S. remains one of the best places for solopreneurs due to its strong startup culture, access to funding, and large consumer markets. However, competition can be fierce, making branding and networking crucial.
2. Africa’s Emerging Soloist Ecosystems 🇿🇦🇳🇬🇪🇬
Africa is experiencing a digital revolution, with mobile money and fintech leading the way. Solopreneurs in this region are benefiting from increasing internet access, a young workforce, and innovation-friendly markets.
3. Europe’s Digital Nomad and Freelance Cultures 🇵🇹🇪🇸🇩🇪
Europe has become a haven for remote workers and freelancers, thanks to strong legal protections, co-working spaces, and digital nomad visas. Countries like Spain, Portugal, and Estonia are especially popular among solopreneurs looking for stable opportunities and infrastructure.
4. Asia’s Business Boom and Outsourcing Goldmines 🇮🇳🇯🇵🇨🇳
Asia is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Solopreneurs who specialize in e-commerce, digital services, or outsourcing can find huge opportunities in this region. However, knowing how to navigate cultural differences and language barriers is key.
Why Geography Matters for Solopreneurs
There are several universal trends fueling the steady increase in solopreneurship.
The Rise of Remote Work: The growing popularity of Zoom, Slack, ChatGPT, and countless other platforms post-pandemic have enabled more individuals to start and scale businesses with minimal overhead.
Evolving Work Preferences: Many professionals are leaving traditional jobs for greater flexibility and autonomy.
Economic Uncertainty: Layoffs and corporate downsizing have pushed more people toward self-employment.
Access to Global Markets: E-commerce hubs like Amazon and Shopify, freelance marketplaces like Upwork and Fiverr, and social media platforms like LinkedIn and TikTok allow soloists to reach customers worldwide.
But while it’s possible for many solopreneurs to work from almost anywhere, certain locations provide better opportunities, infrastructure, and incentives. Even in a digital-first world, where you live and work can have major impacts on your solopreneur journey.
Let’s break it down by key factors:
Market Access and New Business Opportunities
Certain regions have growing industries and ecosystems that make them more attractive for solopreneurs. For example:
America remains a global leader in innovation, especially in tech and digital services. The U.S. ranks as the top country for entrepreneurs, per StartupBlink, due to its strong venture capital market, culture of innovation, and high-skilled workforce.
Africa is seeing rapid growth in fintech and mobile commerce, making it an exciting market for tech-driven solopreneurs.
Europe has a strong gig economy, with countries like Germany and England offering thriving freelance markets.
Asia is a hotspot for e-commerce and outsourcing, with China and India leading in online retail.
Cultural Considerations and General Practices
Every region has its way of doing business. In some cultures, trust is built over time, requiring solopreneurs to form strong relationships before landing deals. In others, efficiency and results matter more than personal connections.
In Asia, business relationships often involve formalities and long-term trust building. In Europe, clear contracts and structured negotiations are key. In the U.S., networking and personal branding play a major role in securing clients.
Understanding these cultural nuances can help solopreneurs navigate international markets more effectively.
Time Zone Challenges and Remote Work Efficiency
Time zones can be both a benefit and a challenge. While solopreneurs can work with clients across the globe, managing different time zones can affect productivity.
Freelancers in Asia working with U.S. clients often adjust their schedules to match American business hours. European solopreneurs benefit from overlapping work hours with both U.S. and Asian markets, making it easier to collaborate globally.
Digital nomads often choose locations with good time-zone alignment to their target markets.
Local Business Regulations and Financial Systems
Where you set up your business impacts your taxes, banking, and legal responsibilities. Some regions offer solopreneur-friendly policies, while others have more complex regulations.
Estonia 🇪🇪, for example, offers an e-residency program that allows entrepreneurs to run an EU-based business remotely. Dubai has zero income tax, making it attractive for high-earning solopreneurs. The U.S. 🇺🇸 has a strong support system for small businesses but comes with higher tax obligations. The Netherlands 🇳🇱 and Spain 🇪🇸 offer digital nomad visas, making it easier for soloists to work legally in Europe, per Condé Nast Traveler.
It’s important to know when regional infrastructure, laws, and regulations might be barriers to business. TikTok has been banned in India since June 2020, for example, cutting many of the country’s solopreneurs off from a profitable online channel. Of course, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is one potential way around that.
Final Thoughts from HSO: Where Should Solopreneurs Go?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for professional soloists looking to find the best location for operations.
The right region for you may largely depend on your industry, target audience, and personal preferences. Some solopreneurs prioritize lower taxes, while others seek out stronger business networks or greater work-life balance.
One thing is clear: The world is more open to solopreneurs than ever before. With the right strategy, professional soloists can take advantage of opportunities from most parts of the world with some notable exceptions. More on that to follow in our upcoming articles on America, Africa, Europe, and Asia.
How Solopreneurs Operate is a weekly Q&A series and collaborative platform for independent business owners to share useful info and broaden the conversation around solopreneurs as a growing economic force.
This collaborative series is meant to be educational and empowering for all.
Join the Conversation!
🌎 🌍 🌏 What country do you operate from as a professional soloist?
🌇 🏡 ⛺️ How has your location influenced your solopreneur journey?
💵 💴 💶 Which part of the world do you think offers the greatest upsides?
🌱 🌿 🍀 What are the coolest homegrown solo ventures in your region?
Drop a comment below and let’s discuss!