STATS

From band-owned record labels and fan-owned sports teams to credit unions, community-owned grocery stores and farmer-controlled dairy foods businesses, all co-operative enterprises are branches of the same family tree - and all are firmly rooted in the philosophy of people and planet before profit.

Built on the principles of equality, democracy and sustainibility, co-ops around the globe are united in building a better world for ALL.

ABOUT CO-OPERATIVES

GLOBALLY

- Over 1,000,000,000 members

- 2.6 million co-operatives worldwide

- Co-operatives provide work for 10% of

the world's employed population

- Together, cooperatives around the world generate 2.96 Trillion (USD) in annual revenue, equivalent to 4.3% of global GDP

- There are 68,000 credit unions across 109 countries in the world today.

CANADA

- 6,413: approximate number of co-ops in Canada, with a total of 17.4 million members

- This results in 50.8% of all Canadians being members of at least one co-operative

- The number of co-operative banks and credit unions is approx. 771

- 7 University Research Centres on Co-ops & mutuals, 10 University programs, 180 informal training programs.

Sources: www.ontario.coop, www.ica.coop, www.copac.coop

FACTS

- Twice as many co-ops remain in business after 10 years as other business enterprises

- The United Nations estimated in 1994 that the livelihood of nearly 3 billion people, or half of the world's population, was made secure by co-operative enterprise

- A 2007 study by the World Council of Credit Unions found that the 5-year survival rate of co-operatives in the U.S.A. was 90% - compared to 3-5% for traditional businesses

- The Co-operative model is the only business model in the world to follow an internationally-recognized set of principles. Read the 7 co-op principles here!

Sources: www.ontario.coop, www.ica.coop