The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) says the majority towns in this region have higher than the 6.4 per cent average figure for self employment.
Moffat, Kirkcudbright, Castle Douglas and Langholm are particular local hotspots for people setting up their own businesses.
And with a 13.01 per cent self employment rate, Moffat is also among Scotland’s top ten entrepreneurial towns.
Brian Sherman, pictured, is the chair of FSB Dumfries and Galloway and he said: “Dumfries and Galloway is a small business economy and these figures on self-employment support that view.
“This data shows the most successful local communities have high numbers of people who are their own boss.
“Unsurprisingly, popular tourist destinations are awash with smaller firms. Scotland’s market towns such as Moffat still have thriving business communities too.”
He added: “While it is pleasing that almost all of the local towns included here are above the national average for entrepreneurship, the wide gap between top and bottom towns shows where our business support agencies can focus their attention.”
Across Scotland there are more than 200,000 people who are self employed.
Commenting, Mr Sherman said: “Big business and public sector downsizings, alongside new business models powered by digital technology, have resulted in a steady increase in the number of Scots self-employed.
“We need to get behind those people and places that want to change their circumstances. Boosting self-employment and business activity could help to turn around some of Dumfries and Galloway’s most disadvantaged places.”
Town Self Employed %
Moffat 13.01
Kirkcudbright 12.39
Castle Douglas 10.58
Langholm 10.34
Thornhill 9.17
Dalbeattie 8.91
Newton Stewart 8.73
Lochmaben 7.79
Lockerbie 7.64
Gretna 7.07
Stranraer 7.04
Eastriggs 6.77
Locharbriggs 6.54
Dumfries 6.22
Annan 6.18
Sanquhar 5.92
Kirkconnel 4.43
