Band 6+: The graph below shows the percentage of self-employed workers of the total workforce in five countries in 1998 and 2008. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

The given bar chart compare 1998 and 2008, illustrating the proportion of self employed workers of the total workforce in 5 different countries – Russia, Slovakia, Czech, Greece, Turkey.

Overall, while the percentage of Russian republic, Slovakia, Czech republic considerably increased, Greece and Turkey experienced a significant decline over the period. The most striking feature is that despite decreasing, Turkey remained the highest figure.

In 1998, Russian republic accounted for only about 5%, while self employed workers of Slovakia and Czech republic made up about 7% and over 11% of the total workforce, respectively. Furthermore, Greece was the second highest figure in the chart, accounting for approximately 42%, whereas Turkey topped the chart, constituting of over 55%.

By 2008, Russian republic slightly increased to about 7%. Similarly, the values of Slovakia and Czech republic significantly rose to around 11% and 15%, respectively. In contrast, the share of Greece sharply dropped to about 35%; likewise, Turkey witnessed a substantial drop, plummeting to under 40%. However, it remained the dominant figure in the chart.