A Government-backed survey shows that more than 2,000 people started their own business every month during 2011.

The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (Gem) report for the Republic, estimates that every month in 2011, 2,200 individuals started their own businesses.

The report, which is released today, shows that about one-third of those who did so were motivated by necessity.

It also shows that 11 per cent were involved in high- to medium-technology businesses, compared with averages of 7.3 per cent in other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, or 7.9 per cent in other EU countries.

London School of Business in Britain and Babson College in the US operate the Gem.