LONDON, September 24, 2025 – Cooperatives and mutuals across the UK have achieved a record-breaking year, generating a combined income of £179.2 billion and employing over 1.5 million people, according to the Co-operative and Mutual Economy Report 2025, published today by trade body Co-operatives UK.
The report highlights a 5.5 percent year-on-year increase in income, alongside a 6.5 percent rise in the total number of businesses – now exceeding 10,000 cooperatives and mutuals operating nationwide. Membership has also surged, with 16.6 million people now part of the co-operative movement, up from 15.2 million in 2024.
Rose Marley, CEO of Co-operatives UK, commented: “From supermarkets to pubs, and social housing providers to football clubs, it’s inspiring to see these record numbers. The figures demonstrate the growing strength of the mutual movement in the economy.
Cooperative businesses make an outsized contribution, are more resilient, and are more representative in the boardroom and executive teams.
The Labour Government’s manifesto includes a commitment to double the size of the sector. While we are moving in the right direction, the current pace is too slow. With the right policies in place, co-operatives could achieve this growth within a single decade – delivering inclusive economic growth, resilience and wellbeing to more communities across the UK.”
Membership growth continues to accelerate, with over one million new members joining co-operatives in the past year alone.
Shirine Khoury-Haq, CEO of the Co-op Group, said: “More than a million people have joined Co-op this year – a clear signal that growing numbers of people want a business that gives them a voice, shares ownership, and puts purpose first.
As the UK’s largest cooperative, we’re owned by our members and act in their interests. That means investing where it matters most, supporting communities, and creating long-term value – not chasing short-term gains.
In the UN’s International Year of Cooperatives, this growth reinforces something we’ve long believed: cooperative values are not just relevant – they’re essential to building a fairer, more resilient economy.”
Key findings from the 2025 Report:
Stronger Business Survival Rates: New-start cooperatives are more than twice as likely to survive beyond five years compared to other UK businesses – with an 82 percent survival rate versus the national average of 39 percent.
Widespread Reach: Cooperatives and mutuals now support a combined 65.7 million memberships – nearly equivalent to the UK population.
Diverse Leadership: Almost one-quarter of the UK’s top 100 cooperatives are led by women – more than twice the proportion found in FTSE 100 companies.
Fairer Workplaces: Cooperatives are four times more likely to be accredited Living Wage Employers. The average gender pay gap within co-operatives stands at 7.5 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Community-Owned Pubs Rising: The number of community-owned pubs has grown by 51 percent over the past five years, including a 13 percent increase in the past year alone.
A Decade of opportunity
This year marks the UN International Year of Cooperatives, offering a once-in-a-decade opportunity to raise awareness of the vital role cooperatives play in creating a fairer economy and delivering on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Rose Marley added: “With a new ministerial team in the Department for Business and Trade, we want to spotlight the success of Employee Ownership Trusts – which have grown by nearly a third in the past year alone.
Policy support that encourages democratic ownership and expands the presence of cooperatives in areas such as farming, infrastructure, and public services could deliver transformational benefits for the UK economy and society.”
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