'The State of Social Enterprise 2024', World Economic Forum
This report shows social enterprises, led 50% by women, make up 3% of global businesses, generating $2 trillion revenue and 200 million jobs across 80+ countries.
View resourceSummary
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the global social enterprise landscape. Key findings include:
- There are approximately 10 million social enterprises worldwide, comprising over 3% of all businesses.
- These enterprises generate around $2 trillion in annual revenue and create nearly 200 million jobs.
- Social enterprises bridge the gender gap, with about 50% led by women compared to 20% for conventional businesses.
- They operate across various industries and contribute to all UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially in health, education, climate, and job creation.
The report aggregates data from over 80 countries, representing 83% of the global population. It highlights social enterprises' significant economic impact, noting that the sector is larger than the global apparel industry and nearly twice the size of the advertising industry.
The report emphasises the transformative role of social enterprises in addressing pressing global challenges and the need for sustained, coherent data collection to unlock their full potential.
Related resources
'The Cynefin Framework - A Leader's Framework for Decision Making and Action', David Snowden
VideosThe Cynefin Framework guides leaders in matching actions to context by distinguishing different domains. It enables sense-making, helping leaders identify true complexity and respond effectively to challenges.
Learn more'The Complexity Spectrum', Rob Ricigliano
ArticlesSystems change offers a way to address complex social issues like poverty and homelessness by moving beyond traditional, linear problem-solving. This blog contrasts ‘clock’ problems, which are solvable with structured solutions, with ‘cloud’ problems, requiring ongoing adaptations. It emphasises the need to shift from quick fixes to fostering resilience, healing relationships, and supporting long-term system health to address deep-rooted challenges effectively.
Learn more