Census Bureau figures for 2006 showed that there were 21 million nonemployer businesses (defined as firms with business receipts of at least $1,000 but no paid employees) and 6 million employer businesses. A recent report on nonemployer start-ups from the SBA's Office of Advocacy shows a lot about business in the U.S. Firms with no employees account for three-quarters of all U.S. businesses, yet produce only 3% of business receipts. However, while they account for only a small share of the economy, they are a "gateway to becoming employer firms, providing flexible work opportunities and a path to economic prosperity." The start-up rate for nonemployer firms is three times the rate for employer firms.