In 2020, the Social Economy (SE) Gross Added Value (GVA) increased slightly (0.4%), compared to 2019, contrary to what was observed in the national economy, registering a decrease of 5.8% in GVA in the first year in which the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were felt. The weight of SE GVA in the national economy increased from 3.0%, in 2019, to 3.2%.

Between 2019 and 2020, total employment and employees increased slightly in SE (0.3% and 0.4%, respectively), contrary to what happened in the national economy (decrease of 2.2% and 1.4%, respectively). In those years, SE organizations were responsible for 5.1% and 5.2% of total employment and for 5.8% and 5.9% of the national employees.

In 2019 and 2020, 73,574 and 73,851 SE units were identified, respectively, with an increase of 2.3% in the number of units in 2019, compared to 2016 (reference year of the previous edition of Social Economy Satellite Account). By groups of SE entities, the Associations with altruistic goals stood out once again, together with the Community and self-management subsectors, congregated more than 95% of the total units and more than 62% of the total SE GVA.

Human health services and social services were the most relevant activities in terms of GVA and employment: health was responsible for 25.5% of SE GVA and 33.2% of SE employees, while social services accounted for 24.9% of SE GVA and 29.9% of SE employees, in 2020. In the same year, organizations of culture, communication and recreation activities, represented almost 45% of the total number of SE units, generating only 3.7% of the total SE GVA and accounting for 4.9% of SE employees.