Contract, consulting roles surge as ‘expertise economy’ grows: report
CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES — Oyster, a global employment platform, has released its 2025 Global Hiring and Impact Report, revealing a transformation in workforce trends.
The report highlights a 46% surge in contractor engagements and a tenfold increase in consulting hires year-over-year, underscoring a decisive move toward flexible, expertise-driven work arrangements worldwide.
Flexible work models take center stage
The data, drawn from Oyster’s platform and a survey of over 500 HR leaders, points to the rise of what Oyster calls the “Expertise Economy.”
“Knowledge workers are increasingly defining their careers through expertise and meaningful projects rather than company loyalty, while organizations are building fluid, specialized teams that can adapt quickly to changing market demands,” said Marina Farthouat, VP of People at Oyster.
Contractor engagements rose by 46% in 2024, while permanent hires declined by 2%.
Consulting roles grew tenfold, reflecting companies’ growing preference for fractional, project-based, and on-demand expertise. This shift is particularly pronounced in the software and professional services sectors, which together accounted for over half of remote hiring activity.
Hybrid work has also become the new standard, with 84% of surveyed companies reporting that some or all employees now work in a hybrid model.
Global talent markets and emerging destinations
Oyster’s report shows companies hired in over 110 countries in 2024, seeking specialized talent, time zone alignment, and operational readiness.
Europe led as the top talent market, accounting for 43% of new hires, followed by Asia and the Middle East (24%), and North America (20%). Over half (54%) of all new hires were made by U.S.-based companies.
The Philippines, the United States, India, Canada, and the United Kingdom emerged as the top five hiring destinations.
Meanwhile, Mexico, Peru, Switzerland, Colombia, and Serbia saw the fastest year-over-year growth in hiring, with Mexico experiencing a 136% increase.
Technology roles dominated global hiring at 35%, followed by sales and marketing (12%) and administrative support (6%), especially in Asia and South America.
Confidence grows in emerging markets
Nearly half (47%) of all new hires on Oyster’s platform in 2024 came from emerging markets, reflecting rising employer confidence in global talent pools.
While only 37% of companies’ first international hires were in emerging markets, that figure jumped to 48% for subsequent hires.
Additionally, 57% of surveyed companies plan to hire international talent in the next year, and 67% of HR leaders say they are equipped to manage distributed teams.
Organizations that initially approach global hiring with caution quickly expand their footprint as they experience the value of specialized skills,” Farthouat noted.
“Not long ago, building a global team was considered bold and forward-thinking. Now, it’s simply smart business.”
