Motivations and Barriers to Starting a Business by Residents of Rural Areas in Poland—Analysis Based on Household Surveys

The aim of this article is to analyze the motivations and barriers that influence the pursuit of non-agricultural activities by residents of rural areas in Poland and to assess the extent to which entrepreneurial activity contributes to the diversification of household income and strengthening the economic stability of these households. The study was conducted among households located in rural areas using a diagnostic survey method. The empirical analysis was based on comparative tests, correlation analysis, and linear regression models. The results indicated that the main motivations for engaging in non-agricultural activities are the desire to increase income, the need for financial stability, and the desire to utilize local resources, while limited access to capital, risk aversion, and insufficient business knowledge remain significant barriers. The analyses confirmed that households conducting non-agricultural activities are characterized by a higher level of income diversification and greater resilience to economic fluctuations. From this perspective, income diversification based on non-agricultural activities can be considered an important mechanism for strengthening the economic sustainability of households and supporting the sustainable development of rural areas by reducing their vulnerability to economic risk. The obtained results indicate the importance of activities supporting the development of entrepreneurial competencies of rural residents and improving the availability of financial instruments as factors conducive to income diversification. Future research could deepen the analysis by considering the diversity of non-agricultural activities, the intermediary mechanisms between income diversification and economic resilience, and a dynamic approach to changes in household income strategies.