Press Release 30/06/2023
DIRECTORY OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES. 01 January 2022
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF COOPERATIVES
The number of people working in cooperatives reached 54,000, 5.9% of employment in the Basque Country
More than 50% of employment in cooperatives is in Gipuzkoa
There are 1,856 cooperatives in the Basque Country, distributed in 2,741 establishments representing 1.6% of the total, according to Eustat data. These companies employ more than 54,000 people, equivalent to 5.9% of total employment in the Basque Country. In addition, in 2021, they attained net sales of over 8,000 million euros.
In the distribution of establishments by province, Bizkaia accounted for 43.4%, Gipuzkoa for 42.4% and Álava for 14.2%. However, in terms of employment, Gipuzkoa is noteworthy, accounting for 53.9% of the total, followed by Gipuzkoa with 36.6% and Álava with 9.5%.
By sector and in relation to the number of establishments, the Trade and Repairs sector stands out, with 18.6% of the total, followed by the Manufacturing Industry with 12.2% and Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities with 11.8%.
Establishments and employed persons in cooperatives in the Basque Country by branch of activity (A21) according to sex. 01/01/2022
| | Establishments | Individuals employed | Men (%) | Women (%) |
| Total | 2.741 | 54.196 | 52,1 | 47,9 |
| A. Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing | 36 | 231 | 72,7 | 27,3 |
| C. Manufacturing | 335 | 19.620 | 77,0 | 23,0 |
| D. Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 6 | 30 | 43,3 | 56,7 |
| E. Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities | 8 | 113 | 61,9 | 38,1 |
| F. Construction | 322 | 1.904 | 92,3 | 7,7 |
| G. Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles | 511 | 8.600 | 23,2 | 76,8 |
| H. Transportation and storage | 88 | 1.331 | 84,1 | 15,9 |
| I. Hostelry | 94 | 2.663 | 12,9 | 87,1 |
| J. Information and communication | 96 | 798 | 60,9 | 39,1 |
| K. Financial and insurance activities | 269 | 1.290 | 47,3 | 52,7 |
| L. Real estate activities | 14 | 25 | 60,0 | 40,0 |
| M. Professional, scientific and technical activities | 324 | 3.889 | 52,8 | 47,2 |
| N. Administrative and support service activities | 67 | 498 | 62,0 | 38,0 |
| P. Education | 301 | 8.789 | 29,6 | 70,4 |
| Q. Human health and social work activities | 170 | 4.002 | 34,5 | 65,5 |
| R. Arts, entertainment and recreation activities | 60 | 209 | 56,0 | 44,0 |
| S. Other services | 40 | 204 | 57,4 | 42,6 |
Date June 30, 2023
Source: Eustat. Directory of Economic Activities
However, regarding the number of jobs, with almost 20,000 jobs and 36.2% of cooperative employment, the Manufacturing Industry, is the most significant sector. Education, together with Trade and Repairs also plays an important role, representing 16.2% and 15.9% of employment, respectively.
By sex, 52.1% of people employed in cooperatives in the Basque Country were men and 47.9% were women, 3.4 percentage points more than the average of the total for all establishments. The sectors with most female employees were Hospitality (87.1%), Trade and Repairs (76.8%), Education (70.4%) and Healthcare and Social Services (65.5%). By contrast, the sectors in which the majority of employees were male were Construction (92.3%) and Transport & Storage (84.1%).
Cooperatives have a significant presence in several municipalities in the Basque Country. The 10 most notable municipalities in terms of employment in cooperatives are: Arrasate/Mondragón, Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Oñati, San Sebastián, Aretxabaleta, Elorrio, Hernani, Bergara and Irún.
These 10 municipalities account for 46.5% of cooperative establishments and represent 49.3% of the overall employment. For employment, Arrasate/Mondragón stands out, with 10.9% of employment and 3% of establishments. In turn, Bilbao accounts for 16% of establishments and 10.9% of employment.
Establishments and people employed in cooperatives in the 10 municipalities with the highest cooperative employment in the Basque Country. 01/01/2022
| | Establishments | Individuals employed |
| Total of Basque Country | 2.741 | 54.196 |
| Arrasate/Mondragon | 81 | 5.905 |
| Bilbao | 439 | 4.360 |
| Vitoria-Gasteiz | 248 | 3.721 |
| Oñati | 37 | 3.310 |
| Donostia / San Sebastian | 251 | 2.777 |
| Aretxabaleta | 24 | 1.585 |
| Elorrio | 15 | 1.459 |
| Hernani | 43 | 1.365 |
| Bergara | 26 | 1.197 |
| Irun | 110 | 1.029 |
Date June 30, 2023
Source: Eustat. Directory of Economic Activities
For further information:
Eustat - Euskal Estatistika Erakundea / Basque Statistics Institute
C/ Donostia-San Sebastián, 1 01010 Vitoria-Gasteiz
Press Service: servicioprensa@eustat.eus Tel.: 945 01 75 62