Study title

The sampling procedure started with two samples consisting of 49,979 individuals in Sweden followed from 1998 until 2010. The first sample consisted of individuals age 16-70 years and the second sample age 25-44 years. The purpose of the first sample was to get a representative sample of the adult population. A probability sample has the advantage of allowing inference to the population by use of statistical tests. The purpose of the second sample was to increase the probability of finding more entrepreneurially engaged individuals to interview and follow by focusing on a demographic known to have a higher start-up rate. Of the 49,979 individuals randomly selected, it was possible to obtain a telephone number for 35,971 (71.9%). The remaining 28.1 percent were not listed (n = 13,338), had severe disabilities (n = 381), or had moved abroad (n = 289). Of those contacted by telephone, 30,427 individuals (84.6%) agreed to participate, of whom 961 respondents qualified for the longer interview by answering that they were starting a business. Failure to establish renewed contact led to the loss of 147 cases. Another 133 individuals were dropped from the active case file after it was detected in the longer interview that they did not qualify. As a result, our sample consists of 623 individuals who completed the longer interview.

Total universe/Complete enumeration