Cooperatives and the SSE: Expert groups advance international statistical guidance

Cooperatives and the SSE: Expert groups advance international statistical guidance

Two ILO-led working groups on cooperative and social and solidarity economy (SSE) statistics made important progress in June 2026, advancing the methodological foundations needed to improve their recognition in official statistics and policy frameworks ahead of the 22nd International Conference of Labour Statisticians in 2028.

1 July 2026

The meetings brought together experts from governments, national statistical offices, cooperative and SSE institutions, and academia to strengthen the evidence base for better policymaking. A recurring message across both discussions was clear: cooperatives and other SSE entities already contribute in multiple ways to decent work, inclusion, local resilience and sustainable development, but their full contribution remains insufficiently acknowledged in existing statistical systems.

Advancing the measurement of cooperatives

Established under the auspices of the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC), the Technical Working Group on Measuring the Economic Contribution of Cooperatives met on 17 June, highlighting the need to move beyond narrow measurements and better capture the distinctive value created by cooperatives. Experts pointed to five areas where cooperatives generate broader impact: market coordination, labour protection, redistribution of wealth, local embeddedness, and collective and sustainable resource management. Participants also stressed that progress will depend on making better use of existing administrative and statistical data while developing complementary indicators that can capture cooperative impact more fully.

Strengthening statistical guidance on the SSE

Established as linked to the United Nations Task Force on the Social and Solidarity Economy the Technical Working Group on SSE Statistics met on 22 June to advance work on the proposed conceptual and operational framework for SSE statistics. Discussions focused on how to identify SSE entities in ways that are flexible enough to reflect national realities, while still supporting international comparability. Members also reviewed the measurement of volunteer work, underscoring the importance of capturing formal volunteering within SSE entities as part of the sector's wider contribution to society and the economy.

Looking ahead

Both meetings confirmed that stronger statistics are essential to giving cooperatives, and the wider SSE greater visibility in national and international policymaking. Better measurement will help governments design more informed policies, strengthen recognition of these models, and demonstrate their relevance to inclusive and sustainable development.

Looking ahead, the Secretariat presented a new online Community of Practice platform to support continued exchange, peer learning and collaboration among experts. Drawing on the discussions and written feedback received, both working groups aim to finalize their reports by the end of September. The resulting guidance will contribute to international statistical standards and support the case for stronger recognition of cooperatives and the SSE in official statistics.