Global recruitment provider Kelly Services has seen a 1.8% dip in revenues across the business, which totalled $5.45bn (£3.45bn) for the calendar year 2012.

In the final quarter of 2012, revenues had dropped 1.5%. Year-long net earnings for the firm also dropped by 21.4% to $50.1m, although gross profit did rise 1.5% to $896.6m.

President and chief executive officer Carl T Camden comments: "Given the challenging fourth quarter and anaemic economic growth throughout the year, we're pleased with our performance.”

He goes on to say: “Skilled workers will continue to be in short supply in 2013, and companies will continue to look for ways to better manage their workforce. Kelly’s professional and technical staffing capabilities, along with our expertise in talent supply chain management, provide the solution.” 

Revenues in the Americas dropped slightly to 0.7%, while the EMEA division took a more substantial 13.7% hit, the same as seen in the Asia-Pacific region. The outsourcing and consulting division KellyOCG overtook Asia-Pacific as the firm’s third-largest business unit, with revenues increasing by just under a quarter.