Entrepreneurship Education and Self-employment Intentions: A Review

Abstract

Unemployment remains a major global issue, particularly in the Global South. As a response, entrepreneurship education has gained traction for equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed for self-employment. This paper explores how exposure to entrepreneurial attitudes, skills, and information influences students’ motivation to pursue entrepreneurship and their aspirations to start their ventures. Findings indicate that entrepreneurship education enhances self-confidence, risk-taking ability, and opportunity recognition—key traits in entrepreneurial decision-making. However, the transition from education to self-employment is shaped by factors such as cultural norms, financial access, and institutional support. Challenges in implementation include the lack of standardized curricula, limited teacher expertise, and minimal industry collaboration. Additionally, while many students have entrepreneurial intentions, external barriers often hinder them from launching viable businesses. A comprehensive approach—integrating financial incentives, incubation support, and enabling policies—is essential to increase impact. Entrepreneurship education is promising but must be contextually grounded for long-term success.