Enduring Market Corrections and Overcoming Adversities: Contingent Talent and Strategic Solutions State of the Market 2025

In 2023 and 2024, the contingent talent and strategic solutions industry experienced a notable growth deceleration due to macroeconomic uncertainties and a pervasive global economic slowdown. This economic downturn intensified cost pressures on enterprises across sectors and prompted organizations to reassess their staffing strategies and resource allocation practices. Enterprises encountered tight budgets and increased operational challenges, compelling them to evaluate their workforce needs more strategically, leading to a more cautious approach to hiring contingent talent. Despite these challenges, the fundamental imbalance between talent supply and demand remained a significant issue due to the ongoing talent shortage of niche skills.

In this report, we examine key market trends that have shaped the contingent talent and strategic solutions industry during this turbulent period and how these trends have influenced contingent talent and strategic solutions providers’ strategies and investments. The report also explores strategic adjustments that contingent talent and strategic solutions providers have made to the increasing digital adoption, evolving skill landscape, AI emergence, and anticipation around green skills. It also analyzes proactive measures staffing providers took to enhance their service offerings and become enterprise strategic partners.