Swiss-headquartered recruiter Adecco is the largest recruitment agency by revenue, making US$26.1bn (£17bn) last year, according to global contingent work adviser Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA).

SIA this morning released its list of the world’s 100 largest staffing and recruitment firms by revenue. 

Joining Adecco in the top five are:

• Netherlands-headquartered Randstad, making $22.9bn in 2014

• US-headquartered ManpowerGroup, with 2014 revenue of $20.9bn

• US-headquartered Allegis, posting a 2014 revenue of $9.5bn 

• Chinese firm CIIC, with $7.4bn

In a statement, SIA research director Adam Pode said it was estimated the global staffing market achieved revenues of about $424bn last year, a 5% growth on 2013.

He added the top 100 firms accounted for 46% of that.

Among the top 100, half are headquartered in Europe, 35 in the US, 14 in Asia Pacific and one in Saudi Arabia.

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