In 2012, more than 21,000 cooperatives of different types were registered in Argentina. In recent deca- des, cooperativism has been vindicated, particularly in the area of work cooperatives, as an “alternative” for overcoming the employment crisis. As a result, this sector gained importance within the cooperative sphere, in contrast to the growth rate of other cooperative enterprises. This article analyzes the develop- ment of Argentinian cooperativism over the past decade and its relationship with economic and political affairs. The study is based on statistical analysis of official information available from Instituto Nacional de Asociativismo y Economía Social (inaes), and characterizes the evolution of the sector.