Our Global Seller Census Report delivers new insights on Etsy sellers’ impact and experiences


Today, Etsy is releasing our latest seller census report, Celebrating Creative Entrepreneurship Across the Globe, which features data from across our core markets, in addition to country-specific reports. Our Global Seller Census Report highlights the many ways in which Etsy acts as both an incubator and champion of entrepreneurship, particularly for women.


As the economy continues to shift in ways that make creative entrepreneurship even more accessible, Etsy sellers’ experiences can inform our understanding of the future of work. There are 2.1 million Etsy active sellers around the globe—each of whom are drivers of both economic impact and personal empowerment.* As a community, they are emblematic of a future of work that values the human touch, and we are proud to celebrate them, everyday.


Below are some of the key findings from our 2019 Global Seller Census:


  • Etsy sellers represent a true democratization of entrepreneurship. In general, Etsy sellers are more likely to be much more diverse in terms of gender, age, geography, sexuality, race and ethnicity than traditional entrepreneurs.
    • 87% of Etsy sellers identify as women
    • More than 60% of Etsy sellers are under the age of 45.
    • 28% are from rural areas
    • In the US, 9% of sellers identify as LGBTQ, vs. roughly 5% of total business owners
  • Etsy sellers are microbusinesses with nuanced motivations
    • 80% of sellers are businesses of one
    • 97% operate the creative business from their home
  • Making a difference to families and local economies
    • 43% of sellers have someone that depend on them financially
    • Etsy sellers generated $5.37 billion in total economic output to the US economy in 2018.

While Etsy has always served as an incubator and champion of women entrepreneurship, this year’s report shines a light into why our platform may appeal to the particular needs of women entrepreneurs. Women selling on Etsy are twice as likely as men to have started their business while caring for a family member or unable to work outside the home. They’re also more motivated by flexibility to start their creative business and value it once started. Additionally, sellers who identify as women, more so than sellers who identify as men, say that Etsy gives them the opportunity to do what they love for a living, and that their creative business allowed them to fulfill a personal dream. So, Etsy helps to provide both the flexibility and creative fulfilment that they desire.


In conjunction with the release of our new report, we’re taking a group of sellers from across the country to Capitol Hill to share their story with Congress. We’ve teamed up with sellers from across the US to take their stories directly to Washington for a seller fly in. For the next two days, sellers are storming the halls of Congress to help bring the data to life. You can follow the action through #EtsyGoesToWashington.


We know that creative entrepreneurship is a powerful force, providing supplemental income and jobs to makers while helping to drive local economic development and revitalize cities. Yet, this important community of microbusinesses is often overlooked as an engine of economic development and empowerment. We’re excited to take this message directly to policymakers in Washington this week.


During our trip, Etsy sellers will discuss issues of great importance to their microbusinesses like internet sales tax, international shipping, internet access, and economic security. We’ll also demonstrate the enormous economic impact Etsy sellers have had on the national economy, and ways to support sellers as an engine of local economic development.


* As of December 31, 2018.