The laborer's employment form can be subdivided into wage-employment, self-employment and unemployment. Self-employment can also be called entrepreneurship, in response to the statement "Public entrepreneurship, Peoples innovation" put forward by the prime minister Li Keqiang. In recent years, self-employment has been attracting more and more attention of researchers, and becomes the research hot spot problem. Self-employment plays an important role in reducing poverty, fostering innovation, developing entrepreneurial economy, promoting economic growth, expanding employment, improving the quality of employment, cultural exchange, taxation and self-efficacy. This paper first analyzes the current situation of self-employment, and then summarizes the significance of self-employment by searching relevant literatures. At the same time, it reviews the relevant literatures at home and abroad, summarizes the research on influential factors of self-employment. The status of self-employment clarifies the factors affecting self-employment. Finally, it points out the shortcomings of the current study, and looks forward to the future trend of research.