WP 140 | 26 The decline in the cooperative membership. Possible causes and initial reflections
In recent years, the Italian cooperative sector has seen a significant decline in the rate of new business start-ups, despite still having a substantial presence in terms of active enterprises. This paper analyses this trend as a possible sign of a broader transformation in business formation processes, offering an initial interpretation of its causes and implications. Based on an analysis of business demography data for the period 2010–2024, the study highlights a marked divergence between cooperatives and limited companies, in particular limited liability companies, which continue to grow in terms of new incorporations. This trend suggests that the decline in the number of new cooperatives is not attributable solely to macroeconomic or sector-specific factors, but may reflect deeper changes in the institutional context and in the conditions for starting a business. The paper outlines some possible interpretations of this dynamic, including developments in company law, changes in social and territorial contexts, and shifts in contemporary models of entrepreneurship. Without drawing definitive conclusions, the paper aims to provide an analytical basis for further research into the role of cooperatives in advanced economic systems and the conditions for their continued existence over time.
JEL Codes
P13; L25; L26; M13; D22
