Are Co-ops of Any Significance?

The co-operative movement brings together more than 800 million people around the world. The United Nations estimated in 1994 that the livelihood of nearly 3 billion people, or half of the world’s population, was made secure by co-operative enterprise. These enterprises continue to play significant economic and social roles in their communities.

Co-operatives provide 100 million jobs worldwide, 20 percent more than multinational enterprises.

In 2008, the world’s 300 largest co-operatives alone were responsible for an aggregate turnover of US$1.1 trillion. That is about the size of Canada’s entire economy.

The United Nations has proclaimed 2012 the Year of Co-operatives.