Global Cooperative Monitor reveals the scale of the sector
This year’s publication takes on a special relevance as it commemorates the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, proclaimed by the United Nations.
On 27 January, the European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises (Euricse) and the International Cooperative Alliance (ACI) presented the 2025 edition of the World Cooperative Monitor (WCM). This report, which is now in its thirteenth edition, has established itself as the essential tool for measuring the economic contribution and social impact of the world’s largest cooperatives.
This year’s publication takes on a special relevance as it commemorates the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, proclaimed by the United Nations. The most important data in the report reveal the size of the sector: the 300 largest cooperatives in the world have a combined turnover of 2.78 trillion dollars, higher than the figure seen in the previous edition. A growth that demonstrates the vitality of this business model in the face of complex global challenges.
Fundació Espriu in a key position
In the healthcare sector, Unimed of Brazil reaffirms its position as a world leader in the health sector. The medical cooperative stands out especially for its high ratio of turnover relative to GDP per capita, an indicator that demonstrates its extraordinary social impact in the country.
The Espriu Foundation once again appears among the top positions in the report. In the health sector ranking, the institution consolidates its third position worldwide in terms of turnover, maintaining the leading position achieved in previous years. Regarding the overall ranking of the 300 largest cooperatives in the world (Top 300), the Espriu Foundation is placed in 234th position, reaffirming its position as an international benchmark of the Spanish social economy.
The 2025 edition includes a special article with interviews with leading personalities of the movement. Carlos Zarco, general manager of the Espriu Foundation, contributes to this section highlighting the crucial role of health cooperatives. According to Zarco, these organizations are key instruments in the progress towards universal health coverage, since the cooperative model, in addition to being efficient and competitive, acts as a powerful engine to promote social development and the well-being of communities.
