2015 was an excellent year for Italian cooperatives, a reality that has always been underestimated but which is configured as a fundamental part of Italian entrepreneurship.
This was demonstrated by the analysis carried out in collaboration by the Agci Study Office, the Confcooperative Study Area and the Legacoop Study Center, a real x-ray of the universe of local cooperatives that helps to better understand, both in quantitative and qualitative terms, how they work the coops.
As at 31 December 2015, there were 79.487 cooperative enterprises registered with the Chambers of Commerce, an increase of 1,5% compared to 2014. 35% of active cooperatives are located in the Northern regions, while 19% are located in the Center . Despite this, the Region with the highest number of active cooperatives is Sicily (11.884, followed by Lombardy with 11.220 and Lazio with 8.619).
In terms of new registrations, 2015 cooperative enterprises were set up in 7.003, a number which represents a reduction of 8,1% compared to the previous year as well as the lowest figure since 2009. Despite this, the balance between registrations and cancellations continues to be positive, with a growth rate (ratio between the balance of registrations/terminations recorded in the period considered and the stock of companies registered at the beginning of the same period) rising from 2009 to 2015.
From a territorial point of view, in Italy there are on average 13 active cooperatives for every 10 inhabitants, while in some areas of the South there are over 25 active cooperatives for every 10 inhabitants.
With reference to gender differences, it is necessary to highlight the growth of female cooperative entrepreneurship which in 2015 represented 23,3% of the total (18.539 in 2015 against 17,991 in 2014. Conversely, active youth coops are reduced with 7.718 active cooperatives of "under 35” (there were 7.828 in 2014).
Finally, we note an increase in active cooperatives of foreigners: 4.811 in 2015 compared to 4.614 in 2014. The incidence on the total, in percentage terms, amounts to 6,1%.
