This article aims to determine the socio-demographic variables that influence the creation of self-owned businesses in Peru at the individual level. Data from the 2015's National Household Survey on Living Conditions and Poverty (ENAHO) was used to perform probit econometric regressions for each one of the 24 departments in Peru. The results indicate that the individual socio-demographic characteristics that explained best the creation of businesses in all departments were age, work situation, work experience, achieved educational level, household size, the condition of being the head of household and the number of household individuals that generate income. Another 11 socio-demographic considered variables showed statistical significance only at some departments.