Scotland’s Social Enterprise Census

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

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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.

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

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2019 Census

The Scottish Government’s Social Enterprise Census 2019 survey closed to responses on Friday 31^st May, 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.)