The social economy in Spain

This document, launched by CIRIEC-España and backed by the Ministry of Work and Social Economy, presents data that is up-to date as of the 31st of December 2019, following the outlines established by the Social Economy Law. This report emphasises some of the key figures and conclusions, underscoring the importance of this sector for the Spanish economy and society. 

The impact of cooperatives on the social economy

 The social economy in Spain covers a wide variety of organisations, including cooperatives, labour companies, insertion companies, special employment centres, mutual societies, associations, foundations and social companies. As a whole, these organisations play a crucial role in the generation of employment, social inclusion and sustainable development.  

Cooperatives are a fundamental part of the social economy in Spain, with a considerable presence in sectors such as healthcare, farming, industry and services. The agrifood cooperatives in particular, have shown themselves to be an effective tool for rural development and sustainability. 

The labour companies, characterised by the participation of the workers in the company ownership and management, have a significant contribution to labour stability and social cohesion. The insertion companies and the special employment centres concentrate on the work integration of people at risk of social exclusion and disabled people, respectively, providing stable, decent employment.

Challenges and opportunities for the social economy in Spain

The report reveals that the social economy represents a significant percentage of the national GDP and total employment in Spain. The social economy organisations contribute 10% of the GDP in Spain, highlighting  their economic relevance. This sector generates employment for approximately 2.2 million people, which represents 12.5% of the total employment in the country. It is particularly relevant in regions with high unemployment rates, where these organisations are often the main source of work. The insertion companies and the special employment centres play a vital role in the integration of vulnerable groups, offering job opportunities for over 140,000 people.   

In spite of their achievements, the report also identifies several challenges, such as the need to improve access to funding and to encourage the expansion of small companies, for example, by promoting the creation of second degree cooperatives and other forms of integration to increase their scale and efficiency.  

The research shown in the report is characterised by the fact that it is the first time that the data for all the agents forming the social economy aggregates are presented, including market producers and others who are not in this category. To do this, a powerful group of researchers who are experts in social economy from nineteen universities have been mobilised.

The report may be consulted using the following link.