Scotland’s Social Enterprise Census is a key study into social enterprise in Scotland, giving an in-depth guide to growth, development and challenge for our social enterprise community. It measures the number and size of organisations, locations, jobs, economic impact, and workplace practices, amongst others.
The 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021 census documents are available via the dedicated website (linked for your convenience); the 2024 census has been published by Social Enterprise Scotland, and co-ordinated by Diffley Partnership.
Social Enterprise Scotland launched the 2024 Social Enterprise in Scotland Census, at the Social Enterprise Summit Scotland on Tuesday 2 September 2025.
This latest census (the fourth and final census under Scottish Government’s 10 year social enterprise strategy) highlights the enduring innovation, transformation and impact of Scotland’s social enterprises, cementing their role as a driving force for inclusive and democratic economic growth and community wealth building.
The report shows how over the past 10 years social enterprises in Scotland have grown, adapted to challenges, and remained committed to fairness, sustainability, and equality.
The Social Enterprise in Scotland: Census 2024 is available to view or download via the Social Enterprise Scotland website (linked for your convenience). Further information is also available in the CVS Falkirk & District news article.
2024 Key Sector Highlights
Key highlights in the 2024 census include:
- 6,103 social enterprises across Scotland (+17.4% since 2015)
- £2.89 billion Gross Value Added (GVA) added to the economy (+41.7% since 2017)
- £8 billion net worth (+107% since 2015)
- 90,050 full-time equivalent jobs (+10.7% since 2017)
- 33% of organisations are based in rural areas, strengthening local economies
Social Enterprise Scotland says:
“Despite experiencing significant challenges over the past decade, Scotland’s social enterprises continue to innovate and adapt, demonstrating that business can be resilient and values driven. These numbers tell a story of consistent growth, resilience, and impact across every corner of Scotland.”
(Please click on the image above to enlarge, or download as a pdf).
2021 Census
Work began on the 2021 census with an online survey at the end of 2021; the full census is available to view or download as a pdf at the Social Enterprise Census website.
The 2021 census is the fourth comprehensive account of social enterprise activity – the scale, reach and contribution of this activity to Scotland, as well as the characteristics, prospects and needs of those organisations delivering it.
As well as sector and market compositions, business practices, financial performance, and the economic contribution and social impact of the social enterprise sector, the report covers the sector’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also looks at the difficult conditions creating by the pandemic, Brexit, and the cost of living crisis, as well as the sector’s prospects and support needs.
2021 Key Sector Highlights
(Please click on the image to enlarge.)
2019 Census
The Scottish Government’s Social Enterprise Census 2019 survey closed to responses on Friday 31 May 2019, with the census published in September that year.
The 2019 census showed that the sector was growing at a consistent rate in Scotland, with an estimated 6,025 social enterprises operating in Scotland at time of publication; this represents a 16% growth since the original 2015 census, and a net increase of 425 social enterprises since 2017.
Three-quarters of social enterprises are now incorporated, an increase of roughly 4% since 2017, with the number registering as Community Interest Companies (CICs) continuing to grow.
The full census report (including highlights image and summary) is available to download on the Social Enterprise Scotland website.
2019 Key Sector Highlights
(Please click on the image to enlarge.)
2017 Census
The second Social Enterprise Census was completed in autumn 2017, and can be downloaded in various formats from the CEIS or Social Enterprise Scotland website. The highlights can be viewed below.
The 2017 census built on the 2015 baseline study, and formed part of Scottish Government’s long-term commitment to realising the full potential of the sector. Research included the screening of over 20,000 organisations against the agreed definitional criteria; extraction and analysis of financial data from the public accounts of 4,439 social enterprises; and a representative survey of the population of social enterprises in Scotland, which yielded 1,351 responses.
At the time of its launch, there were an estimated 5.600 social enterprises working across Scotland, representing an 8% growth since the 2015 census, and equating to roughly one social enterprise for ever 1,000 people in Scotland. Almost 600 social enterprises who responded to the survey had formed in the previous 2 years.
While social enterprises in Scotland range from large international charities to national housing associations and local community enterprises, the census revealed that the majority of social enterprises (57%) were small organisations, with an annual income of less than £100,000. There was also a noted distinction in self-identification, with only 56% of organisations calling themselves social enterprises (while still meeting the established criteria).
2017 Key Sector Highlights
(Please click on the image to enlarge.)
2015 Census
The first social enterprise in Scotland census, carried out in 2015, outlines the scale and impact of the social enterprise sector in Scotland. The census revealed a growing, vibrant and diverse sector, and was funded by:
- the Big Lottery Fund (Scotland)
- Co-operative Development Scotland
- Highlands and Islands Enterprise
- Nesta
- Social Investment Scotland
- Scottish Enterprise
- Scottish Government
The census found that 25% of all social enterprises in Scotland formed in the 5 years prior to the census survey, and 42% formed in the previous 10 years.
As of the census’ publication in September 2015, there were more than 5,000 social enterprises spread across the nation, with 27% based in either Glasgow or Edinburgh; there was also a significant number operating in rural areas, particularly in the Highlands and Islands region, which accounted for only 9% of Scotland’s population, but for 22% of social enterprises.
The report, which is the first of its kind, had encouraging news on business creation, with new social enterprises forming at a rate of more than 200 per year. There was also encouraging news on diversity, with more than 60% listing a woman as their most senior employee, a far higher ratio than for business in general.
2015 Key Sector Highlights
(Please click on the image to enlarge.)
The full Social Enterprise in Scotland Census 2015 report can be accessed on the Community Enterprise in Scotland (CEIS) website, along with a summary of the report.
