English-speaking countries dominate the least-complex market list.
Five European countries rank among the 10 least-complex staffing markets globally, according to analysis of 60 international markets’ merits and how complex setting up a contingent workforce programme in them is. The Netherlands and the UK tied with Australia as the least-complex markets in SIA’s 2021 rankings. Switzerland tied with the US at No. 4. Ireland and Germany ranked Nos. 7 and 8, respectively.
European countries placing just outside the top 10 least complex markets: Austria (13th), Denmark (14th), Sweden (15th), Latvia (17th), Belgium (19th) and Norway (20th).
Source: Most Complex Contingent Markets Globally
Expansions Ahead
Remote work finds support, but offices are not going away.
Covid-19 has made its mark on companies’ hiring expectations, with 52% of European staffing firms being more open to remote work for internal workers going forward, and thus saying recruiting will be a bit less restricted by geography. That’s not affecting office expansion plans, though, with more than 50% saying they plan to add locations over the next five years.
Source: Europe Staffing Company Survey 2021: Initial Findings
The Direct Route
The European direct hire market was worth €8.7 billion in 2020.
The UK was the largest direct hire market in Europe with annual sales of €3.2 billion in 2020, accounting for 37% of sales in Europe. IT is also the largest and most mature staffing market in Europe. The proportion of direct hire sales as a percentage of the total UK staffing market was 9% in 2020, higher than the European average (6%) as well as the global ratio (8%).
Source: Largest Direct Hire Firms in Europe
