Record-breaking year for co-operatives and mutuals: From resilient start-ups and thriving community pubs to fairer workplaces and women in leadership

New figures published today (Tuesday 23 September) reveal a record-breaking year for the UK’s co-operative and mutual economy.

The Co-operative and Mutual Economy Report 2025, from trade body Co‑operatives UK, shows that more than 10,000 co‑operatives and mutuals have produced a record, combined income of £179.2 billion and employ over 1.5 million people. This represents a 5.5% income increase year-on-year alongside a 6.5% boost in total business numbers.

There are now 16.6 million co‑operative members across the UK, up from 15.2 million from last year.

Rose Marley, CEO of Co‑operatives UK, said: “From supermarkets to pubs and social housing providers to football clubs, it is wonderful to see record numbers. These figures demonstrate the growing strength of the mutual movement within the economy. Co-operative businesses make an outsized economic contribution, are more resilient and better represent society in the boardroom and within executive teams.

“As part of Labour’s election manifesto, the government set out its ambition to double the size of the sector. We are moving in the right direction, but at the current pace, it will take far too long. With the right policies, co‑operatives can achieve that growth in a single decade, bringing inclusive growth, resilience and wellbeing to more people and communities across the UK.”

Key findings:

• New-start co‑operatives are more than twice as likely to survive beyond five years as other UK businesses. Co‑operative businesses have an 82% survival rate compared to 39% for companies more widely
• Co‑operatives and mutuals serve 65.7 million memberships – almost matching the UK population
• Women lead nearly a quarter of the UK’s top 100 co‑operatives, more than twice the proportion seen in the FTSE 100
• They also provide fairer workplaces. Co-operatives are four times as likely to be Living Wage Employers. Meanwhile, women earn, on average, 12% less than men across the UK economy. This figure is reduced to 7.5% within co‑operatives
• Community-owned pubs are on the up, with a 51% increase over the last five years and a 13% increase in the last year alone

Rose Marley said: “With a new ministerial team in the Department for Business and Trade, we would highlight the success of Employee Ownership Trusts. In the past year alone, their numbers have risen by almost a third. More policies that encourage democratic ownership and expand the role of co‑operatives and mutuals, in everyday sectors including farming, infrastructure and public services, will make a transformative difference.”

More people are turning to ethical businesses, with the UK’s co‑operatives now boasting a record 16.6 million members – up by 9.5% year on year. Co‑op Group is leading the charge.

Shirine Khoury-Haq, CEO of Co‑op Group, said: “More than a million people have joined Co‑op this year – a clear signal that more and more people want a business that gives them a voice, shares ownership and puts purpose first.

“As the UK’s largest co‑operative, 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 gain. In the UN’s International Year of Co‑operatives, this growth reinforces something we’ve long believed: co‑operative values are not just relevant, they’re essential to a fairer, more resilient economy.”

Read the Co-operative and Mutual Economy Report 2025.