ESS France expands presence in Paris and reports 13.4% private sector employment share

The social and solidarity economy (ESS) in France maintains a significant presence in the national labor market, accounting for 13.4% of private sector employment. According to the 2026 Panorama report by the National Observatory of the ESS, the sector comprises 2.7 million employees and 147,000 companies.

The ESS operates across 17 major sectors, including health, social action, sports, and culture. Notably, it represents 58% of employment in the social action sector and over half of the jobs in sports and leisure.

In a strategic move to strengthen sector coordination, ESS France, led by President Benoît Hamon, has relocated its headquarters to WIKIVILLAGE in Paris. This 7,500 m² facility in the 20th arrondissement serves as a collaborative hub for approximately 40 organizations, including NGOs and social enterprises, aiming to foster synergies and address social and ecological challenges.