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. It aims to inform policy-makers and business leaders about the underestimated contribution of social enterprise towards global GDP, employment and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Social enterprise stands at the intersection of business and social good, spearheading innovative solutions that not only generate economic value but also drive significant social and environmental impact.

The global data gathered for this report indicates that there are approximately 10 million social enterprises across the world, generating around $2 trillion in revenue each year and creating nearly 200 million jobs. Social enterprises are also bridging the gender gap, with one in two social enterprises worldwide led by women, compared to one in five for conventional enterprises.

In addition to uncovering important insights, this report reveals gaps and challenges in social enterprise data. These include the availability and quality of data, the comparability of the available data and the difficulty of quantifying social and environmental value creation. Addressing these challenges will be critical to gaining a clearer understanding of the state of social enterprise globally.