An aging population is a major demographic trend in most modern countries. The increasing number of people of pre-retirement and retirement age, which is typical for Russia, requires solving the problem of their employment, including through the development of entrepreneurship in this population group. The purpose of the study was to analyze the features of the activity of third-age entrepreneurs, analyze the dynamics of changes in the number of early-age entrepreneurs in recent years in Russia and the prospects for the development of third-age entrepreneurship. The results of surveys conducted during the Global monitoring of entrepreneurs, the corresponding project in Russia, and statistical information on the age structure of the population, as well as the corresponding demographic forecast, were used as initial data for the study. The study examined the advantages and disadvantages of early entrepreneurship in the third age, assessed its levels for the period from 2013 to 2018, and compared entrepreneurial activity in Russia and a number of large economically developed countries. The results of the study indicate a steady decline in the share of early third-age entrepreneurs in the total population of Russia over the period from 2013 to 2018. A forecast of the potential number of start-up entrepreneurs for the future up to 2035 is proposed for three options. All older people cannot be entrepreneurs of the third age, because not all of them have the appropriate abilities and intentions and are ready to create their own businesses. At the same time, people of this age category in Russia undoubtedly have a significant potential that needs to be properly used. Assistance and support from the state to third-age business entities can be one of the ways to solve the problems of an aging population. After becoming entrepreneurs, third-age people remain active, solve many of their problems, increase employment and contribute to the economic growth of the regions.
An aging population is a major demographic trend in most modern countries. The increasing number of people of pre-retirement and retirement age, which is typical for Russia, requires solving the problem of their employment, including through the development of entrepreneurship in this population group. The purpose of the study was to analyze the features of the activity of third-age entrepreneurs, analyze the dynamics of changes in the number of early-age entrepreneurs in recent years in Russia and the prospects for the development of third-age entrepreneurship. The results of surveys conducted during the Global monitoring of entrepreneurs, the corresponding project in Russia, and statistical information on the age structure of the population, as well as the corresponding demographic forecast, were used as initial data for the study. The study examined the advantages and disadvantages of early entrepreneurship in the third age, assessed its levels for the period from 2013 to 2018, and compared entrepreneurial activity in Russia and a number of large economically developed countries. The results of the study indicate a steady decline in the share of early third-age entrepreneurs in the total population of Russia over the period from 2013 to 2018. A forecast of the potential number of start-up entrepreneurs for the future up to 2035 is proposed for three options. All older people cannot be entrepreneurs of the third age, because not all of them have the appropriate abilities and intentions and are ready to create their own businesses. At the same time, people of this age category in Russia undoubtedly have a significant potential that needs to be properly used. Assistance and support from the state to third-age business entities can be one of the ways to solve the problems of an aging population. After becoming entrepreneurs, third-age people remain active, solve many of their problems, increase employment and contribute to the economic growth of the regions.