Contingent Workforce Statistics You Need to Know in 2025

In today’s rapidly changing job market, contingent workers have become essential to driving business growth and adaptability. As organizations increasingly embrace flexible and agile workforce models, gaining insight into the contingent labor landscape is more important than ever. Below are some key statistics that every contingent labor buyer should know -each offering valuable perspective on trends, opportunities, and strategic considerations.

20 Contingent Workforce Statistics you need to know in 2025

Freelancers Constitute 46.6% of the Global Workforce: As of 2025, freelancers represent 46.6% of the global workforce, amounting to approximately 1.57 billion individuals worldwide. This significant proportion underscores the growing shift towards independent work models globally.
Source: Genius
65% of Companies Plan to Increase Use of Contingent Workers: A recent survey by Ceridian reveals that 65% of global company leaders intend to expand their use of contingent workers within the next two years. This trend highlights the increasing reliance on flexible staffing solutions to meet evolving business needs.
Source: Staffing Industry Analysts
Gig Economy Valued at $646.77 Billion in 2025: The gig economy's market value has surged to $646.77 billion in 2025, up from $556.7 billion in 2024. Projections indicate it will surpass $2.1 trillion by 2033, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.18%. Source: Business Research Insights
28% of Skilled Knowledge Workers Engage in Freelance Work: According to Upwork's Future Workforce Index 2025, 28% of skilled knowledge workers in the U.S. operate in freelance or non-traditional work models. These freelancers have collectively generated over $1.5 trillion in earnings, with a median income of $85,000, often surpassing their full-time counterparts. Source: Upwork
41% of companies expect to increase their use of Contingent Workers: Nearly half of businesses plan to ramp up their contingent workforce, underlining the shift towards more flexible, project-based employment models. Source: Deloitte's Global Human Capital Trends Report
60% of Contingent Workers choose flexible work arrangements voluntarily: This statistic from Gartner emphasizes the importance of providing flexible work options to attract top talent who prefer or require non-traditional work settings.
Source: Gartner's Future of Workforce Analytics Report
Contingent Workforce Makes Up 30-40% of the U.S. Labor Market: And that this number is expected to grow to 50% by 2050. This significant portion underscores the need for robust management strategies to integrate these workers seamlessly into existing teams.
Source: US Govt Accountability Office Report Also see: US Govt Accountability Reports Website
72% of HR Managers Use Freelance Platforms to Source Talent: The rise of digital talent platforms is reshaping how companies find and engage contingent workers, suggesting that traditional sourcing methods are being supplemented or replaced.
Source: LinkedIn's Future of Recruiting Study Also see: LinkedIn Learning Resources
$4.5 Billion is Spent Annually on Vendor Management Systems (VMS): Investing in VMS technology not only supports the efficient management of contingent labor but also provides analytics to optimize spending and performance.
Source: Staffing Industry Analysts' VMS Market Developments Report
35% of Contingent Workers Are Employed in Professional Services: Knowing which sectors employ contingent workers can help buyers tailor their recruitment strategies and manage compliance risks more effectively.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
25% of Contingent Workers Consider Health Benefits a Key Factor in Job Selection: Offering competitive benefits, even to non-permanent staff, can be a differentiator in attracting and retaining skilled contingent workers.
Source: Randstad's Employer Brand Research
Contingent workers contribute 15% to total workforce productivity: This significant contribution to productivity highlights the importance of contingent workers in achieving business goals and sustaining competitive advantage.
Source: McKinsey Global Institute Analysis
The Average Tenure of a Contingent Worker Is 13 Months: Understanding the average engagement length helps plan project timelines and knowledge transfer processes.
Source: ADP Workforce Vitality Report
90% of Corporations Cite Flexibility as the Key Benefit of Hiring Contingent Workers: Flexibility in hiring and workforce management is crucial for adapting to market changes and project-specific demands.
Source: ManpowerGroup's Annual Talent Shortage Survey
AI in Contingent Workforce Management is Growing by 25% Annually: AI tools are essential for optimizing workforce planning and operational efficiency in real-time.
Source: Forrester's Future of Work Report
Contingent Workforce Penetration Rate is Expected to Grow by 30% by 2028 : This forecast suggests that businesses need to prepare for a larger contingent workforce, which requires enhanced scalability in their workforce management systems.
Source: Mercer's Global Talent Trends Study
40% of Millennials Prefer Contingent Work Arrangements: Catering to the preferences of younger generations will be key in harnessing their potential and meeting their expectations for flexibility and diversity in work experiences.
Source: Pew Research Center Study on Millennial Employment Preferences
78% of Business Leaders Believe Freelancers Give Them a Competitive Edge: This perception indicates the strategic value of contingent workers in fostering innovation, speeding up project delivery, and providing specialized skills that might not be available in-house.
Source: Harvard Business Review Analytic Services Survey
83% of Executives Report Increased Reliance on Contingent Workers for Strategic Thinking and Specialized Skills: It’s not just about filling gaps; contingent workers are increasingly considered crucial contributors to strategic initiatives.
Source: Ernst & Young's Contingent Workforce Study
Freelancers will make up 50.9% of the Workforce by 2027: By 2027, freelancers are expected to make up the majority of the U.S. workforce, becoming the majority of the working population. This shift highlights the growing trend toward flexible and independent work.Source: Genius

Why These Statistics Matter

These insights make it clear: contingent workers are no longer just a stopgap solution - they’re a vital, long-term element of today’s workforce strategy. For organizations managing a contingent workforce program, understanding these trends is key to staying agile and competitive.

Cost Management & Efficiency: By grasping the economic value of contingent labor, companies can better control budgets and project costs. Solutions like Vendor Management Systems (VMS) enhance visibility, helping streamline spending and improve operational control.
Talent Acquisition & Management: As the talent landscape shifts, so must hiring strategies. These statistics underscore the importance of flexibility and modern tech in attracting and managing top-tier contingent talent.
Risk Management: A growing contingent workforce brings added compliance complexity. Staying ahead of labor regulations and internal policies is critical - and the right systems can help reduce exposure to risk.
Future-Proofing the Workforce: With contingent labor on the rise, businesses must proactively plan for evolving workforce needs, aligning with both current trends and long-term structural changes.

In summary, these statistics provide more than just data - they offer actionable insights. Organizations that understand and leverage these trends are better positioned to build a resilient, strategic, and high-performing contingent workforce.

Additional Contingent Workforce Insights

Check out our free Contingent Workforce Management Guide - It includes everything you need to know about the Contingent Workforce and how to implement a successful contingent workforce management program.

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