Global Data on Social Entrepreneurship

10 million Social Enterprises

There are around 10 million social enterprises globally, united by the principle of putting purpose before profit.

$2 trillion in annual revenue

Social enterprises are generating around $ 2 trillion in revenue each year while creating positive impact.

200 million jobs

Social enterprises are creating 200 million jobs across various sectors, from agriculture to financial services.

$1.1 trillion financing need

Social enterprises are seeking around $1.1 trillion in external financing (beyond personal savings).

1 in 2 led by women

One in two social enterprises around the world are led by women, compared to 1 in 5 conventional enterprises.

2X larger than advertising

The sector is larger than the $1.57 trillion apparel industry and twice the size of the $875 billion advertising industry.

The State of Social Enterprise: A Review of Global Data 2013–2023

This report provides a comprehensive synthesis of the global state of social enterprise, using data from more than 80 countries gathered between 2013 and 2023. The data informs policymakers about the contribution of social enterprise towards sustainable development, and priorities to improve the enabling conditions for the sector.

It was developed in partnership with the World Economic Forum, Bertelsmann Foundation, Catalyst 2030, Euclid Network, SAP, Social Enterprise UK, Social Enterprise World Forum and other members of the Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship.

The State of Social Enterprise: Unlocking Inclusive Growth, Jobs and Development in Africa

Drawing on new survey data and existing literature from across the continent, this report provides a policy-ready evidence base, and offers actionable insights for governments, investors, corporations and development partners seeking to accelerate Africa’s inclusive growth and sustainable development.

It was developed in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, Africa Forward, the African Union Commission, Motsepe Foundation, SAP, Genesis Analytics and other members of the Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship.

Addressing data gaps

Significant gaps remain in the availability and comparability of social enterprise data worldwide. In many countries, data is entirely lacking; where it exists, it is often based on small samples and diverse methodologies, making cross-country comparison difficult. Addressing these challenges requires globally aligned research, consistent definitions and methodologies, and strong data governance.

To advance this agenda, the Schwab Foundation is stewarding efforts to align and strengthen social enterprise data collection. As a first step, it convened an advisory group of data experts from academia, international organisations and industry to focus on surveys, one of the most widely used data collection tools. Following a review of more than 30 survey instruments globally, the group developed a standardised set of survey questions and a practitioner playbook that reflect commonly used indicators and enable greater comparability across datasets.

The advisory group has now evolved into Aligned for Impact (ALFI) to improve the availability and comparability of data on social enterprise. ALFI is working to make the social enterprise sector visible and at the same time reduce the burden of data collection and data sharing.

Social Entrepreneurs in European Social Enterprise Monitor 2023-2024

Euclid Network released its latest report on the state of social enterprise in Europe in January 2025 and an update is expected by early 2027. This biennial survey-based study spans 31 European countries and provides valuable insights into the sector. The findings confirm the strong presence of women in leadership roles within social enterprises, with women holding a majority of positions across all organizational levels. Additionally, the report reveals that over 70% of social enterprises have a core mission centred on improving the lives of specific groups. One key way they achieve this is through inclusive employment practices. Nearly 50% of social enterprises actively employ individuals with a migrant background or disabilities, underscoring their commitment to fostering social and economic inclusion.

Recognizing other estimates

The British Council publication More in Common: The Global State of Social Enterprise 2022 estimates that there could be as many as 11 million social enterprises globally. This figure is based on research across 27 countries and a global extrapolation. This current, more comprehensive research, has aggregated data from over 80 countries. It has also triangulated data from other sources, such as the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, to sense-check its findings. Based on these estimates, it finds that the actual number of social enterprises globally is likely closer to 10 million. It is encouraging that these two figures are relatively similar.