The OECD and the European Commission have just released the report “Social Economy in Europe: Contributing to Competitiveness and Prosperity” (December 5, 2025), offering key insights into the role of the social economy across economic and social domains, including long-term care (LTC).
Of particular interest to LeTs-Care is the chapter on “The social economy in care with a focus on ageing” which highlights trends also emerging from our research. Across OECD countries, one in four people aged 65+ already require LTC, with demand projected to rise by nearly 30% by 2050. In the EU, the share of people needing LTC is expected to increase from 11.6% in 2020 to 14.1% by 2070, pushing public expenditure from 1.7% to 2.6% of GDP.
Shortages in the health and care workforce, combined with the reliance on informal carers create additional challenges, contributing to gender employment, pay, and pension gaps. Meanwhile, LTC services remain unaffordable or inaccessible for many, and traditional public and private provision cannot fully meet growing needs.
Social economy organisations -including cooperatives, social enterprises, foundations and associations- play a critical role in filling these gaps. They provide flexible, community-based, person-centred care that supports healthy ageing, social inclusion, and continuity of daily life.
LeTs-Care research confirms that social economy actors help bridge territorial disparities, support carers, innovate service delivery, and complement public systems. Investing strategically in these organisations is essential for building resilient, inclusive and sustainable LTC systems, ensuring better care and outcomes for millions of Europeans.
Read our article on LinkedIn with further insights!
