Entrepreneurship may be associated with a longer life, according to research published in the Journal of Business Venturing. The study found that Americans with entrepreneurial experience had an approximately 10% lower risk of death than people who worked in traditional jobs.
The analysis examined data from more than 27,500 people over the age of 50. It was co-authored by Hanqing Fang, an associate professor of business and information technology at Missouri University of Science and Technology.
However, the findings suggest that business ownership alone may not explain the difference. The apparent longevity advantage was concentrated among people who chose entrepreneurship despite having other employment options. This indicates that the reasons behind the decision may be more important than simply owning a business.
Entrepreneurship can offer greater control over work, more freedom and a stronger sense of ownership over one’s career. Those benefits may be more difficult to achieve when people start businesses because of financial pressure or a lack of alternatives.
The study also identified differences depending on when the entrepreneurial experience occurred. Current entrepreneurs showed better physical health, while the mental health advantage was clearest among people whose entrepreneurial experience was in the past. Fang suggested that some psychological benefits may persist after the business or entrepreneurial role ends.
According to the research, autonomy and purpose could also be encouraged within traditional companies. Giving employees greater control over the projects they manage may provide some of the same benefits associated with entrepreneurship.
The study, by Yanying Chen and colleagues, is titled “Do entrepreneurs live longer? A Cox survival analysis of entrepreneurship and lifespan.” It was published in the Journal of Business Venturing in 2026, with DOI 10.1016/j.jbusvent.2026.106655.
Sources: Phys.org.