Overview of the Publication
The document “Facts and Figures of the Cooperatives (Focus on Germany)” is produced by the German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Association (DGRV). It presents data extracted from a recent DGRV report that highlights the role of cooperatives in Germany and Europe, especially in relation to sustainable development and housing. The material is publicly available and linked to the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, a United Nations initiative.
Housing Cooperatives at a Glance
Germany hosts approximately 1,900 housing cooperatives, providing affordable rental homes for many families. These cooperatives collectively manage around 25 million homes, employ 300,000 people and have invested €40 billion in new construction and modernisation. In Europe, about 43 000 housing cooperatives own 25 million homes, with €40 billion invested and 300 000 staff, underscoring their importance for affordable, sustainable urban living.
Scale of Cooperative Sectors
Across Germany there are 7 000 cooperatives employing 22 million members and 1 million workers. Key sectors include:
- Cooperative banks: 7 018 branches, 17.6 million members, €1.208 billion balance sheet.
- Energy cooperatives: 998 entities, 220 000 members, €2.1 billion turnover, 1 200 employees, supplying clean electricity to all members.
- Consumer cooperatives: 540 groups, 300 000 members, €1 billion turnover, 5 000 employees. These figures illustrate the breadth of cooperative activity that supports sustainable services, including housing.
Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals
Cooperatives are framed as essential partners for the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Their democratic structure, local ownership and profit‑reinvestment model align with goals such as No Poverty, Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Decent Work and Economic Growth. The report cites that cooperatives provide 280 million jobs worldwide and serve 1 billion members, reinforcing their global impact on sustainability.
Key German Cooperative Numbers
- 7 000 cooperatives overall, 22 million members, 1 million employees.
- 998 energy cooperatives, 220 000 members, 2.1 billion € turnover.
- 1 500 cooperative banks, 30 million members, €714 billion balance sheet.
- 540 consumer cooperatives, 300 000 members, €1 billion turnover.
- 1 900 housing cooperatives, 25 million homes, €40 billion invested.
European Cooperative Landscape
Europe hosts 250 000 cooperatives, representing 3 million entities worldwide. Housing cooperatives alone number 43 000, managing 25 million homes and investing €40 billion. Agricultural cooperatives total 23 000, employing 7 million members and generating 40 % of Europe’s agricultural turnover. These data show the extensive network that underpins European sustainable economies.
Innovation and Community Impact
The report highlights examples such as the “Cooperative Clock” that maps daily interactions of a German family with various cooperatives, from banking to energy, retail, and health services. This narrative demonstrates how cooperatives embed sustainability into everyday life, providing local control over resources and fostering community resilience.
Economic Strength and Future Outlook
Financially, German cooperatives hold a combined balance sheet of several hundred billion euros and generate substantial turnover across sectors. Energy cooperatives have avoided 3 million tons of CO₂, while housing cooperatives continue to expand affordable housing stock, addressing urban housing shortages. The continued growth of cooperative membership and investment suggests a strong trajectory toward meeting European sustainability targets.