Social Economy Switzerland: The Sector Is Growing and Calling for Better Framework Conditions

More employees, a wide range of social impacts, and, at the same time, critical assessments of the political framework: The new Social Entrepreneurship Monitor 2026 paints a nuanced picture of the impact-driven economy in Switzerland. The results will be presented online on October 29.

How is the social economy developing in Switzerland? Who works in impact-driven organizations, and where do these organizations make an impact? The Social Entrepreneurship Monitor 2026 by SENS provides new figures on these topics. For the fourth time, the Monitor has created a database on the social entrepreneurship sector in Switzerland.

The current survey is based on the largest sample to date: 153 social enterprises with approximately 8,000 employees and 3,500 full-time positions were included. This means the study covers six times as many employees as it did in 2020.

A Growing Sector

It is particularly interesting to examine trends over several years. For the first time, SENS is analyzing time series data. These show that the average social enterprise now employs about one-third more people than in 2020. The number of full-time positions has grown by the same margin.

However, the monitor does more than just highlight growth. It also shows the different levels at which social enterprises make an impact. SENS distinguishes four areas: enterprises support people directly, contribute to a more sustainable economy, strengthen the social economy, or influence social norms. Often, this happens on multiple levels simultaneously.

Focus on Young People and Equality

A look at the target groups is also revealing. 65 percent of enterprises with a people-centered impact target people between the ages of 0 and 35.

Also noteworthy is the gender distribution at the executive level: 50 percent of executive positions are held by women. According to SENS, this puts the sector under review well above the Swiss average.

Political framework conditions remain a work in progress

However, growth and impact alone are not enough for the social economy to develop in the long term. The Monitor therefore also examines the framework conditions. Here, the industry’s assessment is significantly more critical: on average, the political framework conditions receive a grade of only 2.9.

In doing so, the Monitor raises a question that goes beyond individual social enterprises: What conditions are needed in Switzerland to enable impact-driven companies to grow, develop sustainable business models, and further expand their social impact?

The Monitor is now also systematically examining how impact models and business models are linked. This connection in particular is likely to be crucial for the further professionalization and scaling of impact-driven companies.

Launch on October 29

SENS will present the Social Entrepreneurship Monitor 2026 on Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. as part of an online launch event. In addition to presenting the findings, time will be set aside for analysis, questions, and discussion.

Further information and selected data from the Monitor can already be explored interactively on the SENS website.