Аннотация: Currently, the issues of self-employment are relevant and most discussed. The article considers the definition of self-employment of the population, its development in the Russian Federation as a new form of labor relations. The main purpose of the study is to study the formation of self-employment in Russia. The following methods were used in the preparation of the article: abstract-logical, monographic analysis of information, synthesis, generalization and interpretation of scientific information, comparison and systematization, and others. The conducted research allows us to conclude that it is necessary to develop the Institute of self-employment in the Russian Federation, since this phenomenon contributes to increased activity, increased mobility of the labor market, large-scale innovation, and improving the living conditions of unemployed citizens.