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National Editors:

State of the Unions
Here» is our latest data on the state of the global union movement. It includes statistics on density and membership, reports on labor rights and overall trends. Figures have been compiled from public sources with the help of a team of national editors (see above). As you will see, the data confirms earlier reports (see below) of renewed growth in the union movement. more»




Membership trends
The accepted wisdom is that unions are in decline. The last comprehensive study was done by the ILO, back in the days when Princess Diana was still alive. No update is planned. Abhorring vaccuums as we do, we began collecting data in 2006. The database now has post-2000 data for about 450 national union centres - a set which includes by far the majority of the world's unionised workers. In more than half of these cases we also have comparable data from subsequent years. This has enabled us to make a start in measuring trends. The graph below tells the story. You can find out more, and check the data for yourself (including links to all the sources), here»

Change in union membership by national federation
2000-2008

We were so surprised by the result above that we cross-referenced it against membership figures by country. In 2008 we found post-2000 data for 107 countries (of a possible 194) with comparable data for 57% of them. The graph below speaks for itself. Unionists - we salute you! Contrary to the dominant narrative, unionism is growing again. But don't take our word for it; click here» for the details, and for links to all of our sources. And if you know of any more or better information, please share it!

Change in union membership by country 2000-2008