The agency work industry around the world - Ciett

ECONOMIC REPORT
The agency work industry
around the world
2012 Edition
(based on figures available for 2010)

The agency work industry
around the world
ECONOMIC REPORT
2012 Edition
(based on figures available for 2010)

Introduction
In 2010, the global agency work
industry recovered much of the ground
lost during the economic downturn
that started in the USA in 2007, and
quickly spread to the rest of the world.
The return to growth was witnessed
in many countries, however some
reported stronger growth than others.
The trends in this report go some way
to showing that the openness and
the socio-economic fabric of national
economies and the flexibility of
their labour markets account for the
difference across countries.
Overall, the total number of agency
workers worldwide was 10.4 million 1 .
In parallel, global total annual sales
revenues of the agency work industry
amounted to €247 billion 2 . The
negative impact of the economic crisis
on the labour market in general, and
the agency work sector in particular,
began in spring 2008 and accelerated
in 2009. This report shows the recovery
that the industry made in 2010, but
also the continuing trends seen in some
countries throughout 2011.
Most markets began to show positive
growth in the first quarter of 2010. This
trend continued throughout most of
2011, however as the year progressed,
the rate of growth witnessed in Europe
slowed markedly.
Agency work plays - and still has the
potential to play further - a valuable
role in easing transitions within and to
the labour market. Agency work creates
jobs that would not otherwise exist,
enhancing companies’ competitiveness
and workers’ employability, thereby
promoting a labour market that
corresponds better to peoples’ - and
companies’ - needs and aspirations.
In global markets continuing to
deal with the crisis, the agency work
industry’s capacity to anticipate and
match labour market needs with the
required skills is even more crucial,
as agencies serve as career agents
for workers, immediately identifying
job vacancies, providing training,
and facilitating the transition from
unemployment to work, from one
1. based on data from 43 countries
2. based on data from 36 countries
4

assignment to the next. In addition,
agency prepared the ground for a
job-creating economic upturn, helping
companies face the ongoing global
competitive pressure, increasing labour
market participation, and furthermore,
accelerating and increasing the number
of jobs created as the economy
recovers.
Now more than ever, the agency work
industry plays a key role in improving
the functioning of the labour market,
by facilitating a better and faster match
between supply and demand of labour,
by securing upwards transitions for
agency workers, and by providing more
work opportunities for more people.
5

Content
1. The players 11
2. Agency work and the economic recovery 19
3. Agency workers in numbers 19
4. The profile of agency workers 28
a. General trends
b. Inclusion and diversity
7

The key facts & figures
The players
• There are 128,000 private employment
agencies 3 and 176,000 branches 4
worldwide, employing 908,000 internal
staff
• In 2010 the total annual sales revenues of
the top 10 private employment agencies
worldwide accounted for 28% of the total
agency work market
• The USA is the world leader with 27%
• In 2010 the global total annual sales
of total annual sales. Japan represents
revenues amounted to €247 billion 5 19% of the global agency work market,
followed by the UK at 9%
• Europe is the leading regional entity by
total annual sales revenues, accounting
for 38% of global total annual sales
revenues
Agency workers
in numbers
• 10.4 million agency workers in full-time
equivalents were employed by private
employment agencies across the globe
in 2010 6
• The agency work penetration rate is 1.5%
in Japan and 1.6% in Europe 7 and 1.8% in
the USA
• On average agency workers work
around half as many hours as full-time
permanent employees 8
• Most agency work assignments are more
than one month long
8

The profile of agency workers
• On average, 57% of agency workers in
Europe are aged less than 30 9 compared
with 55% outside Europe 10
• 77% agency workers have at best finished
their secondary education 11
• Agency workers work in a wide range
of sectors represented most strongly in
services and manufacturing
Agency work and the economic
recovery
• Agency work is a bellwether of the
economic situation
• The private employment agency industry
has rebounded sharply since the
recession but industry growth has slowed
3. based on data from 37 countries
4. based on data from 29 countries
5. based on data from 34 countries
6. based on data from 43 countries
7. based on data from 29 countries. If Russia is included in calculations,
penetration rate for Europe would be 1.2%
8. based on data from 29 countries
9. based on data from 17 countries
10. based on data from 9 countries
11. based on data from 19 countries
9

1. The players
• There are 128,000 private employment agencies 12
and 176,000 branches 13 worldwide, employing
908,000 internal staff 14
• In 2010 the total annual sales revenues of the
top 10 private employment agencies worldwide
accounted for 28% of the total agency work market
• In 2010 the global total annual sales revenues
amounted to €247 billion 15
• The USA is the world leader with 27% of total
annual sales. Japan represents 19% of the global
agency work market, followed by the UK at 9%
• Europe is the leading regional entity by total
annual sales revenues, accounting for 38% of
global total annual sales revenues
12. based on data from 37 countries
13. based on data from 29 countries
14. based on data from 34 countries
15. based on data from 35 countries
11

There are 128,000 private
employment agencies...
In 2010 there was a recorded
128,000 private employment
agencies globally 16 . The Asia/Pacific
region accounts for 57% of all private
employment agencies (PrEAs).
Europe accounts for 26% of all PrEAs,
with North America for accounting
for 12%. China, Japan and the USA
are the top three countries in terms
of number of PrEAs, accounting
collectively for 65% of all agencies
worldwide. As recognised by the ILO:
“Private employment agencies play
an important role in the functioning
of contemporary labour markets.
For the past three decades, the
increasing need to provide workers
and services to a rapidly growing
and flexible labour market has led
to the spectacular development of
these agencies.”*
China
Japan
USA
UK
Germany
Australia
Netherlands
South Africa
Poland
Brazil
Czech Republic
South Korea*
Denmark
France
Austria
Colombia
Mexico
Hungary*
Canada
Norway
Sweden
Finland*
Slovenia*
Spain
Portugal
Chile
Peru
Belgium
Slovakia*
Romania*
Argentina
Italy
Luxembourg*
Lithuania
Estonia
Macedonia*
Greece
6,049
3,500
3,260
3,150
2,998
1,772
1,650
1,419
1,347
1,200
1,200
716
700
667
650
600
500
450
355
350
265
188
170
142
129
129
90
70
41
30
30
27
9
Number of private employment agencies**
13,910
11,500
20,000
0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000
49,000
* ILO - Private employment agencies, temporary agency workers
and their contribution to the labour market | 2009
12
16. Based on data from 37 countries
Source: Ciett national federations 2010
*Source: Ciett national federations 2009
**Based on figures from 37 countries

... with 176,000
branches worldwide
The players
In 2010 the total number of PrEA
branches was 176,000 17 . The Asia/
Pacific region accounting for 52%,
Europe for 24%, and North America for
19%. Japan, South Africa and the USA
are the top three countries by number
of branches, accounting together for
74% of all branches worldwide.
The “branch to PrEA” ratio varies
greatly from country to country,
from a staggering 37.5 branches per
PrEA in Italy to a much smaller ratio
in Germany or the UK. This difference
can be explained by the very high
concentration of the Italian agency
work market, characterised by a
small number of large companies
with an extensive network. This is
in contrast to highly fragmented
markets, such as Germany or the
UK, characterised by a large number
of PrEAs, often operating from a
single local branch (some Staffing
Japan
USA
UK
South Africa
Australia
France
Netherlands
Germany
Italy
South Korea*
Canada
Austria *
Belgium
Hungary*
Sweden
Norway
Spain
Brazil
Slovenia*
Argentina
Mexico
Peru
Slovakia*
Romania *
Colombia
Czech Republic
Chile
Luxembourg*
Greece
7,120
7,000
6,400
5,267
4,177
2,600
1,983
1,700
1,500
1,228
977
850
800
644
589
465
394
246
214
194
194
164
115
112
73
17
17. Based on data from 29 countries
17,000
companies operate without any
branches, while there is also a
number of dormant, non active
Number of branches**
31,932
0 10.000 20.000 30.000 40.000 50.000 60.000 70.000 80.000 90.000
agencies influencing this number).
The global average is 3 branches per
PrEA.
82,602
Source: Ciett national federations 2010
*Source: Ciett national federations 2009
**Based on figures from 29 countries
13

908,000 people were employed
as internal staff by PrEAs in 2010
908,000 people were employed
as internal staff [HR consultants
and back-office people working in
branches] by PrEAs in 2010 18 . Europe
accounts for 30%, the Asia/Pacific
region for 24%, and South America
for 21%. The top three countries
in terms of internal staff are Japan,
Brazil, and the USA, accounting
together for 62% of all internal staff
worldwide.
The global average is 4 people
employed as internal staff per
branch, and 10 per PrEA. This
illustrates that the agency work
industry is still mostly composed of
small and medium-sized companies,
despite the presence of several large
multinationals operating worldwide.
USA
Japan
Brazil
UK
Germany
Netherlands
South Africa
France
Sweden
Australia
Ireland*
Italy
China
Belgium
Poland
New Zealand
Argentina
Slovakia*
Romania*
Mexico
Hungary*
Finland*
Peru
Norway
South Korea
Chile
Slovenia*
Czech Republic
Portugal*
Uruguay
Bulgaria
Austria
Luxembourg*
Greece
34,000
31,500
20,000
15,000
15,000
12,950
11,000
10,544
5,794
4,100
4,012
3,680
1,007
3,518
2940
2,723
2,600
2,560
1,950
2,125
1,511
368
820
750
600
470
400
307
200
Number of Internal Staff**
60,000
95,865
191,592
185,000
183,282
0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000 140,000 160,000 180,000 200,000
18. Based on data from 34 countries
14
Source: Ciett national federations 2010
*Source: Ciett national federations 2009
**Based on figures from 34 countries

The top 10 PrEAs worldwide accounted
for 28% of global annual sales revenues in 2010 19
The players
In 2010 the main global players
began their recovery from the
economic crisis. Adecco, with
$21.3 billion in total annual sales
revenues, remains the market
leader. Manpower is the second
largest PrEA with $18.9 billion,
followed by Randstad with $18.8
billion. It should be noted that in
2011 Recruit acquired the US and
European operations of Advantage
Resourcing, making it the 4 th largest
global staffing firm. In the same year
Randstad acquired SFN Group.
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
21.3
18.9 18.8
Top 10 staffing companies in billions of $
6.4
5.0
5.0
4.5
4.1 4.2
2.8
2.4
0
Adecco Manpower Randstad Allegis
Group
Kelly
Services
Recruit
Staffing
USG People Hays PLC Robert Half Temp
Holdings
19. Based on data from 35 countries
Source: Staffing Industry Analysts 2010 - www.staffingindustry.com
Note: Recruit Staffing bought Advantage Resourcing US and Euopean operations in 2011, thus
making Recruit the 4 th largest global staffing firm in 2011. Randstad aquired SFN Group in 2011
15

In 2010, the USA and Japan are global agency work
market leaders by total annual sales revenues
In 2010, the global market for Agency
work accounted for 247 billion
Euros. The USA is the world leader
with 27% of global annual sales. The
Japan represents 19% of the global
agency work market. The UK remains
the third largest market worldwide
with 9% of global total annual sales
revenues. Europe accounts for 38%
of global total annual sales revenues,
North America for 29% and Asia/
Pacific for 26%.
Percentage of total annual sales revenues in 2010
UK 9%
France 7%
Rest of World
18%
Japan 19%
Germany 6%
USA 27%
Australia 5%
Netherlands 4%
Brazil 3%
16

2. Agency work and the economic recovery
• Agency work is a bellwether of the economic
situation
• The private employment agency industry has
rebounded sharply since the recession but
industry growth has slowed
17

Agency work continues to display
a relationship with GDP growth
The use of agency work echoes the
behaviour of the general economy.
Various studies have confirmed that
there is a direct correlation between
variations in GDP and the level of use
of agency work. In years of growth,
the supply and demand of agency
workers increase proportionally,
and diminish when the economy
falters. As a precise indicator of the
economic situation, the evolution
of the agency work industry is
therefore monitored as such, as
private employment agencies are
the first impacted by the crisis.
30%
20%
10%
0%
-10%
-20%
Evolution of number of hours worked by agency workers (year on year)
versus EU 27 GDP growth rate (year on year)
6%
4%
2%
0%
-2%
-4%
-30%
-6%
Q1-08 Q2-08 Q3-08 Q4-08 Q1-09 Q2-09 Q3-09 Q4-09 Q1-10 Q2-10 Q3-10 Q4-10 Q1-11 Q2-11 Q3-11
Change in hours worked (European average)
Growth rate of GDP volume
18
Note: The weighted European Average is the year on year change of agency workers in full-time equivalent employment on a daily basis (except where noted
otherwise). The weighted average determined by the surveyed countries share of the European agency work market in 2009. The countries contributing to
the weighted European Average account for 58% of the agency work market in Europe. The EU average is calculated by adding the individual country figures
multiplied by their percentage of the agency work industry in Europe, then scaling the figures to one hundred percent.

The agency work industry in Europe’s growth
continued throughout 2011
Agency work
and the economic recovery
The crisis affected the different
European agency work markets at
different times, depending on the
openness of their economies, the
maturity of their markets, and their
dependence on certain segments of
the economy. Accordingly, a country
like Germany which weathered the
crisis better than most, can be seen
to have surpassed the previous levels
of temporary agency work achieved
before the beginning of the crisis.
Italy has also experienced strong
growth throughout 2010 and 2011.
Poland is an example of a country
where agency work does not have
a long history, so its strong year on
year growth is somewhat expected
as it is coming from quite a low base.
Agency work in the Netherlands
suffered a smaller dip than in other
countries, however its return to
growth following the crisis has
been at a lower rate than in other
countries. Trends for agency work
60.0%
40.0%
20.0%
0.0%
-20.0%
-40.0%
-60.0%
Jan-08
Mar-08
Year on year change in the number of hours worked by agency workers
May-08
Jul-08
Sep-08
Nov-08
Jan-09
Mar-09
May-09
Jul-09
Sep-09
FR BE NL PL IT DE NO CH Weighted European Average
in France and Belgium followed
similar patterns with strong growth
from mid 2010 through to the same
Nov-09
Jan-10
Mar-10
period in 2011 followed by a slowing
in the growth of the industry in the
third quarter of the year.
May-10
Jul-10
Sep-10
Nov-10
Jan-11
Mar-11
May-11
Jul-11
Sep-11
19

Agency work is a bellweather
for the economic environment
In October, EU 27 unemployment
levels rose by +2.4% compared with
the same period in 2010. At the same
time agency work posted a +1.1% rise
in hours worked.
From the beginning of the time
series in 2008, an inverse relationship
between unemployment levels in
the EU and the amount of agency
work being carried out is on display.
Recent months have shown the
growth of the agency work industry
to have slowed considerably, while
at the same time year on year
unemployment levels have began to
rise again.
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
-10%
-20%
-30%
-40%
Evolution of the number of hours worked by agency workers (year on year)
versus average EU 27 unemployment change (year on year)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
08 08 08 08 08 08 08 08 08 08 08 08 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11
Germany’s agency work industry
began to grow again as early as May
2009 and in July 2010, the German
agency work industry returned to
pre-crisis levels of employment.
20
Changes in hours worked (European Average) Y-O-Y Change in unemployment (EU 27)
This can be partly attributed to
Germany obtaining more appropriate
regulations later than in other
European countries.

The American agency work market began
to recover earlier than the industry in Europe
Agency work
and the economic recovery
American economic activity
measured by employment peaked
in December 2007. Since then, it
has lost jobs until mid 2009 when
it began to grow again. But even
though the decline in agency work
occurred later, it rapidly outpaced
that of the American workforce
at large, as it played its role of
buffer, cushioning the impact on
permanent staff. The sustained
recovery of the industry points that
in the economic recovery, agency
workers are among the first to be
hired.
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
-5.00%
-10.00%
-15.00%
US staffing employment index since 2006
120
110
100
90
80
70
-20.00%
60
6/18/2006 6/18/2007 6/18/2008 6/18/2009 6/18/2010 6/18/2011
Week-to-Week Change ASA Staffing Index (Set at 100 on 6/12/2006)
21

3. Agency workers in numbers
• 10.4 million agency workers in full-time
equivalents were employed by private
employment agencies across the globe in
2010
• The agency work penetration rate is 1.5% in
Japan and 1.6% in Europe and 1.8% in the USA
• on average agency workers work nearly half
as much as full-time permanent employees
• most agency work assignments are more
than one month long
22

10.4 million agency workers
were employed daily in 2010 20
In 2010 the total number of agency
workers worldwide amounted to
10.4 million in full-time equivalents 21 .
Europe accounts for 35%, North
America for 25%, and the Asia/Pacific
region for 13%.
The USA employs nearly as many
agency workers in full-time
equivalents [2.58 million] than the
second and third biggest suppliers
of agency workers combined.
South Africa has the second highest
number of agency workers in fulltime
equivalents [967,000], ahead
of Brazil [965,000], Japan [960,000]
and the UK [860,000], (UK figures
are representative of the 2009/2010
financial year). Together, the USA,
South Africa, and Brazil account for
44% of all agency workers assigned
worldwide.
24
USA
South Africa
Brazil
Japan
UK
Germany
France
Colombia
Australia
Netherlands
Italy
Mexico
Poland
Canada
South Korea
Spain
Portugal*
Peru
Belgium
Hungary*
Switzerland
Austria
Argentina
Russia*
Sweden
Romania*
Macedonia*
Slovenia *
Ireland
Czech Republic
Chile
Norway
Finland
Denmark
Slovakia*
Uruguay*
Bulgaria*
New Zealand
Greece
Luxembourg*
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
308,250
208,000
197,000
132,350
114,000
99,000
90,682
87,000
87,000
85,000
81,848
68,000
68,000
66,000
63,000
62,000
60,000
50,000
48,959
48,000
35,000
32,000
31,689
21,811
21,649
21,227
18,500
16,237
8,000
7,567
5,000
4,300
3,000
2,500
2,110
20. based on data from 43 countries
21. ibid
Daily average number of agency workers (FTE)
520,000
514,190
967,000
965,000
960,000
880,000
793,000
2,584,000
Source: Ciett National Federations
*Source: Ciett estimate
**Based on figures from 43 Countries

Evolution of the number
of agency workers in Europe [FTE]
Agency workers
in numbers
In the last fifteen years, the number
of agency workers in Europe has
greatly increased, partially as a result
of more appropriate regulation
being put in place in formerly tightly
regulated labour markets, notably
in Italy, Germany, and the Nordic
countries, and the opening up of
new markets in Central and Eastern
Europe.
It is important to note that with
each passing year the level of
information available on the number
of agency workers has improved
leading to more countries being
represented. Care should be taken
to only make direct comparisons
to previous years where data is
available.
* Denotes Ciett estimate based on the overall evolution of
comparable markets between 2009 and 2010 of 8.52%
**Denotes Eurostat estimate (Nace code 78.2)
Evolution of agency work penetration in Europe
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Austria 0,4% 0,5% 0,6% 0,7% 0,8% 0,9% 0,8% 1,0%w 1,2% 1,2% 1,5% 1,6% 1,6% 1,4% 1,6%
Belgium 1,2% 1,3% 1,6% 1,6% 1,7% 1,7% 1,6% 1,6% 1,8% 1,8% 2,1% 2,2% 2,1% 1,6% 1,9%
Bulgaria - - - - - - - - - - - - 0,1% 0,2% 0,3%*
Czech Republic - - - - - - - - - - - - 0,7% 0,7% 0,7%
Denmark 0,2% 0,2% 0,3% 0,3% 0,3% 0,4% 0,4% 0,4% 0,5% 0,6% 0,7% 0,7% 0,7% 0,7% 0,8%
Estonia 0,5%* 0,5%
Finland 0,4% 0,4% 0,4% 0,3% 0,4% 0,5% 0,4% 0,5% 0,6% 0,7% 0,7% 1,1% 1,3% 0,8% 0,9%
France 1,3% 1,6% 2,0% 2,2% 2,5% 2,5% 2,3% 2,2% 2,3% 2,3% 2,4% 2,5% 2,3% 1,7% 2,0%
Germany 0,5% 0,6% 0,7% 0,7% 0,9% 0,9% 0,9% 0,9% 1,1% 1,2% 1,5% 1,9% 1,9% 1,6% 2,0%
Greece - - - - - - - - - - - 0,2% 0,0% 0,1% 0,1%
Hungary - - - - - - 0,8% 1,0% 1,3% 1,4% 1,4% 1,4% 1,4% 1,2% 1,8%*
Ireland 0,2% 0,3% 0,6% 0,6% 1,5% 1,4% 1,4% 1,4% 1,3% 1,3% 1,5% 1,7% 1,7% 0,9% 1,9%
Italy - - 0,0% 0,1% 0,3% 0,3% 0,4% 0,6% 0,7% 0,7% 0,8% 1,0% 0,9% 0,7% 0,9%
Latvia 0,2%* 0,3%*
Lithuania 0,2%* 0,2%*
Luxembourg 1,2% 1,2% 1,2% 1,7% 2,2% 2,1% 2,1% 2,1% 2,1% 2,0% 2,5% 2,4% 1,9% 1,9% 1,9%
Macedonia - - - - - - - - - - 0,4% 0,3% 0,3% 0,8% 0,8%*
Netherlands 2,1% 2,2% 2,4% 2,4% 2,3% 2,2% 2,1% 1,9% 1,9% 2,2% 2,5% 2,8% 2,9% 2,4% 2,5%
Norway 0,3% 0,4% 0,5% 0,5% 0,5% 0,5% 0,5% 0,4% 0,5% 0,6% 1,0% 1,0% 1,0% 0,8% 0,9%
Poland - - - - - - - 0,1% 0,2% 0,2% 0,2% 0,4% 0,5% 0,5% 0,7%
Portugal 0,6% 0,6% 0,7% 0,9% 0,9% 0,9% 0,9% 0,9% 0,9% 0,9% 0,9% 0,9% 1,6%** 1,6%** 1,7%*
Romania - - - - - - - - - - - - 0,3% 0,3% 0,5%
Russia 0,1%” 0,1%”
Slovakia - - - - - - - - - - - - 0,6% 0,6% 0,8%*
Slovenia - - - - - - - - - - - - 0,3% 0,3% 0,5%*
Spain 0,5% 0,7% 0,8% 0,9% 0,7% 0,7% 0,6% 0,6% 0,7% 0,7% 0,7% 0,8% 0,6% 0,4% 0,5%
Sweden 0,2% 0,3% 0,4% 0,6% 1,0% 0,9% 0,8% 0,7% 0,7% 0,7% 0,8% 1,3% 1,3% 1,0% 1,3%
Switzerland 0,6% 0,6% 0,8% 0,9% 1,0% 1,0% 0,9% 0,9% 1,0% 1,2% 1,5% 1,7% 1,7% 1,4% 1,6%
UK 2,6% 2,9% 2,6% 2,8% 3,7% 3,7% 3,7% 3,9% 4,1% 4,2% 4,3% 4,7% 4,1% 3,7% 3,0%
Source: Ciett national federations
*Source: Ciett estimate
**Source: Eurostat (Nace Code 78.2)
25

Agency work nears its 2008 high
in 2010 throughout Europe
Across Europe, the penetration
rate for agency work rose. Germany
with a penetration rate of 2% and
Sweden with 1.3% are notable for
having reached all time highs for
agency work penetration. The fall in
penetration rate in the UK to 3.0% can
be attributed data there referring to
the financial year of 2009/2010 rather
than 2010 as the other countries are
reporting. The average penetration
rate in Europe was 1.6% in 2010 22 , up
from 1.4% in 2009 23 but still a little
short of the 2008 average of 1.7% 24 .
Nevertheless, this average hides
enormous differences from country
to country, ranging from 3.0% in the
UK to 0.1% in Greece. Mature markets
in Western Europe, namely the UK,
France, Germany and the Benelux
countries, are all above average;
whereas the markets in Southern and
Eastern Europe are all below average.
26
4.5%
4.0%
3.5%
3.0%
2.5%
2.0%
1.5%
1.0%
0.5%
0.0%
UK
Netherlands
Germany
France
Ireland
Luxembourg
Belgium
Comparative penetration rate 2008-2010
Hungary
Portugal
2008 2009 2010
22. based on data from 29 countries
23. based on data from 29 countries
24. based on data from 27 countries
Austria
Switzerland
Sweden
Finland
Norway
Italy
Slovakia
Denmark
Macedonia
Poland
2008 average 1.7%
Czech Republic
2010 average 1.6%
2009 average 1.4%
Note: estimate for Russia not used in calculating European Average. If included, penetration rate in 2010 would be 1.2%
Romania
Estonia
Slovenia
Spain
Latvia
Bulgaria
Lithuania
Greece
Russia

Evolution of the number of agency workers
in the rest of the world [FTE]
Agency workers
in numbers
Outside Europe the number of
agency workers has also markedly
increased between 1996 and
2010, on account of the gradual
deregulation of the Japanese labour
market, and the advent of emerging
markets, such as Brazil and South
Africa, on the global scene.
It is important to note that with
each passing year the level of
information available on the number
of agency workers has improved
leading to more countries being
represented. Care should be taken
to only make direct comparisons
to previous years where data is
available.
Evolution of Agency work in the Rest of the World
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Argentina** 0,3% 0,3% 0,3% 0,3% 0,3% 0,3% 0,2% 0,3% 0,4% 0,4% 0,4% 0,4% 0,4% 0,3% 0,4%
Australia - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2,8% 2,7%
Brazil - - - - - - - - - - 0,9% 1,0% 0,9% 1,0% 1,0%
Chile - - - - - - - - - - 1,3% 0,5% 0,4% 0,4% 0,4%
Colombia - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3,3% 2,7%
Japan 0,5% 0,5% 0,5% 0,6% 0,8% 1,0% 1,1% 1,2% 1,4% 1,7% 1,9% 2,1% 2,2% 1,8% 1,5%
Mexico - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0,1% 0,3%
New Zealand - - - - - - - - - 0,5% 0,5% 0,4% 0,6% 0,6% 0,3%
Peru - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0,3% 0,6%
South Africa* - - - - - - - - - 2,3% 2,2% 2,1% 3,4% 6,4% 7,1%
South Korea - - - - - - - - 0,2% 0,3% 0,3% 0,3% 0,3% 0,4% 0,4%*
USA** 1,9% 2,1% 2,1% 2,2% 2,2% 1,9% 1,8% 1,9% 2,1% 2,2% 2,1% 2,0% 1,8% 1,5% 1,8%
Denotes Ciett estimate based on the overall evolution of
comparable markets between 2009 and 2010 of 8.52%
Source: Ciett National Federations
*Source: Ciett Estimate
**Time series revised compared to previous editions
***Change of methodology in 2009 for calculating FTE workers
27

Outside Europe agency work
penetration rates vary widely
Agency work penetration rates are
determined in part by the level of
maturity of the market in which
they evolve. Mature agency work
markets are characterised by high
penetration rates, indicating a
potent blend of large user bases,
strong economic growth, and
generally relevantly regulated
markets. At a mere 0.9% 25 of the total
regional active working population,
the relatively low penetration rate
of agency work in South American
countries reveals the region’s
considerable potential for growth.
8.0%
7.0%
6.0%
5.0%
4.0%
3.0%
2.0%
1.0%
Evolution of penetration rate 2008-2010
0.0%
Argentina
Australia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Japan
Mexico
New Zealand
Peru
South Korea
USA
2008 2009 2010
25. based on data from 6 countries
Note: estimate for Russia not used in calculating European Average. If included, penetration rate in 2010 would be 1.2%
28

USA has the highest penetration rate
of major markets
1.8%
Agency workers
in numbers
In Europe, the appropriateness of
regulation and degree of economic
development explain the differences
in pace of growth of the agency work
industry. In 2010 the penetration
rate for agency work stood at 1.6% 26
in Europe. The penetration rate for
Agency work in the USA bounced
back stronger than eirher Japan
or Europe, reaching 1.8% in 2010.
Stricter regulation was imposed
in Japan which led to the agency
work industry dipping below that
seen in the other major markets.
For Europe, it is important to note
that with each passing year a greater
number of Ciett national federations
report on the number of agency
workers. this relates to agency work
becoming a significant form of
employment in these countries. See
page 25 for additional information.
26. 2010 data based on information from 29 countries
Comparison of european, Japanese and USA penetration rates.
2.5%
2.0%
1.8%
1.6%
1.5%
1.5%
1.0%
0.5%
0.0%
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
US Japan Europe
Note: European average calculated using data from available countries
29

Agency workers half as many hours
as full-time permanent employees
Agency workers tend to work fewer
hours during one year than a worker
with a full-time, open-ended contract
– with the the notable exceptions
of Colombia, Peru, Germany and
Sweden. From country to country,
the average number of hours worked
by an agency worker compared to
the average number of hours worked
by a permanent full-time employee
varies greatly, from less than 8% in
Luxembourg to 141% in Colombia.
It should be kept in mind that the
average working hours reflects a
diversity of situations and profiles of
agency workers. For instance, sutdents
typically work for short periods of
time during school holidays, therefore
lowering the average to a large extent.
Colombia
Peru
South Africa
Germany
Sweden
Brazil
Japan
Greece
Australia
Italy
Mexico
Slovakia
Slovenia
Uruguay
Hungary
Chile
Netherlands
Poland
Switzerland
Romania
USA
Norway
France
Argentina
Spain
Belgium
Czech Republic
Portugal
Luxembourg
424
415
370
350
337
289
288
222
124
534
465
437
Average number of hours worked *
0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000
Average per full-time permanent employee
690
688
Average per agency worker
1,419
1,412
1,300
1,200
1,135
1,120
1,021
1,014
930
840
1,377
1,414
1,911
2,091
1,776
1671
1,625
1,627
1,689
1,560
1,733
2,109
1,686
1,778
1,866
1,786
1,664
1,722
1,961
2,068
1,554
1,551
1,643
1,663
1,616
1,714
1,778
1,820
1,939
1,947
30
* By an individual during one year
Sources : Ciett National Federations, , ILO Kilm 7 th edition

Most agency work assignments
are more than one month long
Agency workers
in numbers
In most countries, the average
length of assignment of an agency
worker exceeds one month, and
often even exceeds three, the
notable exceptions being France
[82%] and Spain [63%], where more
than half of the assignments are
less than one month long. Only 7%
of assignments in Peru and 4% in
Sweden last for less than a month.
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
Average length of agency work assignments
30%
20%
10%
0%
Germany
Norway
Sweden
Colombia
Finland
Greece
Australia
South Korea
Argentina
Switzerland
Peru
USA
Belgium
Netherlands
Italy
South Africa
UK
Spain
Brazil
Czech Republic
Short-term [< 1 month] Medium-term [1 – 3 months] Long-term [3 months]
31

4. The profile of agency workers
• Differences in gender balance depend on the
socio-economic fabric of a country.
• 57% of agency workers are aged less than 30
in Europe
• Agency workers outside Europe tend to be
older
• 77% agency workers have at best finished
their secondary education
• Agency workers work in a wide range of
sectors represented most strongly in services
and manufacturing
32

a. General trends
33

Differences in gender balance depend
on the socio-economic fabric of a country
From country to country, differences
in gender balance in agency work
are determined by the particular
socio-economic fabric and
economic history of each country,
as well as by the sectors allowed
to use agency work. More servicesoriented
markets tend to employ
more women, such as Sweden
[60% of women and 57% in the
services sector], whereas markets
with a strong industrial history
usually employ more men, such as
Germany [70% of men and 48% in
the manufacturing sector].
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Gender balance of agency workers
Austria
France
Germany
Macedonia
Switzerland
Belgium
Slovakia
Spain
Slovenia
Mexico
Italy
Netherlands
Romania
Poland
South Africa
Czech Republic
Greece
Argentina
Brazil
Colombia
Peru
USA
UK
China
New Zealand
Sweden
Japan
Finland
Australia
Male
Female
34

Most agency workers in Europe
are aged below 30
The profile
of agency workers
Young people make up a high
proportion of agency workers
compared to the total active
working population with a majority
of agency workers being over 30
years of age. On average, 10% of
agency workers are under 21 years
old with 22% are between 21 and 25
years old. A further 25% are between
25 and 30 Years old. This means that
on average, 57% of agency workers
are under 30 years old. Agency work
often serves as a first professional
experience for first-time entrants
into the labour market, providing
them with a valuable initial
experience or serving as a steppingstone
to permanent employment.
Notable exceptions to this trend
are Denmark [70% over 30], and
Macedonia [69% over 30].
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Average age of agency workers in Europe
Sweden
Poland
Macedonia
Denmark
France
Spain
Hungary
Greece
Romania
Slovakia
Germany
Slovenia
Czech Republic
< 21 21 - 25 26 - 30 31 - 45 > 45
Belgium
Netherlands
Norway
Italy
35

Agency workers
tend to be older outside Europe
Agency workers tend to be older in
Japan, where 58% of agency workers
are over 30 and in the US, where 68%
of Agency workers are aged over 30.
100%
90%
Average age of agency workers in the rest of the world
This can be explained by the fact
that in some of these countries
agency work is culturally accepted
as a viable alternative to permanent
employment.
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
China
Japan
USA
New Zealand
Mexico
Colombia
Argentina
South Africa
Brazil
< 21 21 - 25 26 - 30 31 - 45 > 45
36

More than a quarter of agency workers
have completed higher education
The profile
of agency workers
On average, 27% of agency workers
have completed higher education.
In Sweden and Australia, more
than half of agency workers have
completed higher education. In
most countries, the majority of
agency workers have a low to
medium initial education level. On
average, 50% of agency workers
worldwide have finished secondary
school, and 23% have not. The Czech
Republic [60%] is the only country
to report the majority of agency
workers having not completed their
secondary education. Agency work
can play an important role in helping
these low-skilled workers enter the
labour market and gain valuable
experience.
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Education level of agency workers
Sweden
Australia
Norway
UK
Finland
USA
Belgium
Greece
Peru
Argentina
Italy
Colombia
Netherlands
South Korea
Spain
Switzerland
Brazil
Czech Republic
South Africa
Low [not completed secondary education] Medium [completed secondary education] High [completed higher education]
37

Sectoral distribution
of agency work
Reflecting the ongoing mutations
of the European economies, the
sectoral distribution of agency work
in Europe has seen a recent trend
away from usage in the industrial
sector [31% average], towards a
growing use in the services sector
[37% average]. Manufacturing
remains an important user of agency
work in traditionally industrial
economies, such as Poland [70%]
and Czech Republic [65%]. Mexico
[29%], Norway [15%] and Peru [15%],
make important use of agency
work in public administration, as do
Peru [43%] and France [23%] in the
construction sector. More than three
in four Chilean agency workers work
in the services sector, and 45% of
Argentinian agency workers work in
the manufacturing sector.
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Sectoral distribution of agency work
Peru
Greece
Chile
Norway
South Africa
Brazil
Netherlands
Colombia
Mexico
Spain
Switzerland
Australia
Belgium
South Korea
France
Italy
Argentina
Germany
Czech Republic
Agriculture Manufacturing Construction Services Public Administration Other
Poland
38

. Diversity
39

The number of agency workers over 50
is increasing in Italy
Workers over 50 are underrepresented
in the Italian agency
work population. However, their
numbers are continually on the rise.
In 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010, the
proportion of agency workers aged
over 50 has steadily increased from
3% to 4% to 5% to 6%.
7.0%
6.0%
5.0%
Percentage of agency workers over 50 in Italy
4.3%
4.7%
5.6%
6.2%
“Agency work offers groups such as
migrant workers, women returning
from childcare breaks, disabled and
unemployed people across to the
labour market. In principle, agency
work can help workers develop
their skills and experience, thereby
offering pathways into more secure
employment.”
4.0%
3.0%
2.0%
1.0%
0.0%
3.8%
3.3%
2.8%
2.5% 2.6%
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Source: Eurofound - Temporary Agency Work and Collective
Bargaining in the EU | 2009
40

Agency workers from target groups
are on the rise in the Netherlands
The profile
of agency workers
Agency work gives target groups a
viable access to the labour market,
thereby increasing labour market
participation and diversity. Ethnic
minorities, older people, labour
incapacitated and the long term
unemployed accounted for 31% of
agency workers in the Netherlands
in 2008. This is up from 27% in
2006. Agency work increases
labour market flexibility, whilst
providing basic rights and working
conditions to agency workers.
Because the agency remains the
worker’s employer, his rights are
capitalised from one assignment
to the next. Agency work thus
integrates “outsiders” in the labour
market, who then benefit from the
same working conditions as those
provided to other agency workers.
The percentage of special target groups among temporary employees in the Netherlands
2006
2008
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
14%
18%
12%
13%
Ethnic minorities Older workers (45+) Labour incapacitated Long-term
unemployed
2%
1%
3%
2%
27%
31%
Total (corrected for
overlap)
41

Disabled temporary agency workers
take on a range of positions
In France, 43% of disabled workers
are classified as skilled blue collar
workers, while 7% occupy middle
management positions. 16% are
white collar employees and 34%
are unskilled blue collar workers.
Through private employment
agencies, disabled agency workers
are integrated at every level of
companies.
Employment of disabled agency workers in France
White
collar16%
Unskilled blue
collar 34%
Skilled
blue collar
43%
Middle
management
7%
42

Notes
43

Notes
44

Notes
45

About Ciett
As the International Confederation of
Private Employment Agencies, Ciett is
the authoritative voice representing the
interests of private employment agency
industry across the world.
Founded in 1967, Ciett consists of 47
national federations of private employment
agencies and six of the largest staffing
companies worldwide: Adecco, GI Group,
Kelly Services, Manpower, Randstad, and
USG People.
Its main objective is to help its members
conduct their businesses in a legal and
regulatory environment that is positive and
supportive.
Ciett is divided into 6 regional
organisations: Africa & Near East, Northern
and Southern Asia, North America, South
America [CLETT&A], and Europe [Eurociett].
46

Ciett National Federation Members
Africa
Morocco | FNETT
South Africa | APSO
Northern Asia
China | CAFST
Japan | JASSA
South Korea | KOSA
Southern Asia
Australia & New
Zealand | RCSA
India | ISF
Singapore | SSA
North America
Canada | ACSESS
Mexico | AMECH
USA | ASA
South America
Argentina | FAETT
Brazil | SINDEPRESTEM
Chile | AGEST
Colombia | ACOSET
Perú | AETT Perú
Europe
Austria | VZA
Belgium | FEDERGON
Bulgaria | BG Staffing
Czech Republic | APPS
Denmark | Dansk Erhverv
Estonia | ESAA
Finland | HPL
France | PRISME
Germany | BAP
Greece | ENIDEA
Hungary | SZTMSZ
Ireland | NRF
Italy | ASSOLAVORO
Latvia | LASA
Lithuania | LIIA
Luxembourg | ULEDI
Macedonia | NFTWAM
Netherlands | ABU
Norway | NHO Service
Poland | Polskie Forum HR
Portugal | APESPE
Romania | ARAMT
Russia | APEA
Slovakia | APAS
Slovenia | ZAZ
Spain | AGETT & AETT
Sweden |
Bemanningsförtagen
Switzerland | Swiss Staffing
Turkey | OIBD
UK | REC

www.inextremis.be
Tour & Taxis building
Avenue du Port 86c - Box 302
B 1000 - Brussels
www.ciett.org
info@ciett.org
The Voice of Labour Choice