Outsourcing has become a fundamental business strategy for companies of all sizes. From Fortune 500 giants like Apple and Google to small businesses looking to stay competitive, outsourcing touches nearly every industry and transforms how work gets done globally.
But how many jobs does the US actually outsource? Which industries outsource the most? And where do all these jobs go? These statistics reveal the true scale of the global outsourcing economy in 2025.
Key Takeaways
- 300,000+ jobs are outsourced from the US each year
- 66% of US businesses outsource at least one department
- The global outsourcing market is worth $731 billion in 2025
- 92% of Fortune 500 companies use IT outsourcing
- India dominates with 17.58% market share, followed by Philippines at 13.5%
- 37% of small businesses outsource at least one business process
- IT services (54%) and Finance (44%) are the most outsourced functions
How Many US Jobs Are Outsourced?
The United States is the world's largest outsourcing market, both as a buyer and seller of outsourced services.
1. 300,000+ jobs are outsourced from the US each year
Approximately 300,000 jobs leave the United States annually through outsourcing arrangements. This contributes to a global outsourcing market valued at around $85.6 billion just from US companies.
2. The US generates 36% of total global outsourcing revenue
Despite being a major outsourcer, the United States also generates the largest share of global outsourcing revenue. American companies lead in IT outsourcing spending at $218 billion in 2025.
3. 59% of American companies outsource their work to India
India remains the top destination for US outsourcing, with nearly 6 in 10 American companies choosing Indian vendors for their outsourced work—particularly in IT and software development.
Key Insight: The US outsourcing industry is worth approximately $300 billion today and is expected to exceed $500 billion by 2030—a 67% increase in just 5 years.
What Percentage of Companies Outsource?
Outsourcing is no longer just for large corporations—businesses of all sizes are embracing external partnerships to stay competitive.
4. 66% of US businesses outsource at least one department
Two-thirds of American companies with more than 50 employees use outsourcing for at least one business function. This number drops to 29% for companies with 50 or fewer employees.
5. 92% of G2000 companies outsource IT services
Among the world's largest 2,000 companies, IT outsourcing is nearly universal. These enterprise giants rely on external partners for everything from cybersecurity to software development.
| Company Size | Outsourcing Rate | Key Insight |
|---|---|---|
| G2000 (IT outsourcing) | 92% | Nearly universal adoption |
| Fortune 500 | 90%+ | $190B+ in contracts |
| Tech startups | 74% | Higher than non-tech |
| Large companies (50+) | 66% | Standard practice |
| Non-tech startups | 62% | Growing rapidly |
| Small businesses (≤50) | 29% | 90% plan to start |
6. 90% of small businesses planned to outsource in 2024
Up from 80% in 2021, the vast majority of small businesses now recognize outsourcing as essential for competitiveness—even if they haven't started yet.
Fortune 500 Fact: Over 90% of Fortune 500 companies have multiple outsourcing contracts, with a combined value exceeding $190 billion.
Global Outsourcing Market Size
The global outsourcing industry continues to grow as companies seek cost savings, specialized skills, and operational efficiency.
7. Global outsourcing spending will reach $731 billion in 2025
According to Deloitte, worldwide spending on outsourcing services is expected to hit $731 billion this year—and that's just the beginning of continued growth.
8. IT outsourcing market will reach $591 billion in 2025
The IT sector dominates outsourcing, with software development, cybersecurity, and cloud services leading the charge. This is forecast to reach $1.345 trillion by 2034.
9. 72% of all global outsourcing contracts are IT-related
Nearly three-quarters of outsourcing deals worldwide involve technology services, making IT the undisputed king of the outsourcing industry.
Growth Projection: The global outsourcing market is expected to reach $1.11 trillion by 2030—growing at a 5.46% CAGR from today's levels.
Most Outsourced Jobs & Services
Not all jobs are equally likely to be outsourced. Some functions are far more commonly delegated to external partners.
10. IT services are outsourced by 54% of companies
More than half of all businesses outsource at least some IT functions—making it the most commonly outsourced service category by far.
| Service/Function | % Outsourcing | Common Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| IT Services | 54% | Development, support, security |
| Finance & Accounting | 44% | Bookkeeping, tax, payroll |
| Digital Marketing | 34% | SEO, content, social media |
| Payroll | 32% | Processing, compliance |
| Human Resources | 28% | Recruitment, benefits |
| Customer Service | 24-27% | Call centers, support |
11. 64% of outsourced IT services are software development
Within IT outsourcing, software application development is by far the most common task, followed by cybersecurity and infrastructure management.
12. Cybersecurity is the #1 IT outsourcing category
As cyber threats increase, companies are turning to specialized security firms. App development ranks second, and IT infrastructure services comes third.
Top 4 Industries Affected: Manufacturing, Customer Service, Technology, and Human Resources are the four sectors most impacted by US outsourcing.
Which Companies Outsource the Most?
The world's largest companies are also among the biggest users of outsourcing. Here's how major corporations leverage external talent:
13. Apple outsources 450,000+ jobs in the US alone
Through suppliers and vendors, Apple outsources hundreds of thousands of jobs domestically. Internationally, over 95% of Apple products are assembled in China through partners like Foxconn.
14. Google has outsourced since 2011 with 1,000+ remote workers
Google was an early adopter of outsourcing, employing remote workers from 60+ countries for IT support, development, and ad operations. The company increasingly outsources "non-core" functions.
15. Microsoft has used outsourcing for 20+ years
With 182,000 direct employees, Microsoft also maintains a large outsourced workforce. The company has worked with Infosys for internal support and desktop management for two decades.
Apple's Strategy: Apple focuses internal resources on design and marketing while outsourcing manufacturing. Over 95% of their products are assembled in China.
Other Major Companies That Outsource
- Facebook/Meta — Outsources customer support, IT services, and content moderation (has office in Manila)
- Walmart — Uses outsourcing for supply chain management across 11,700+ stores in 28 countries
- Wells Fargo — Outsources customer support, payroll, process engineering, and financial accounting
Top Countries for Outsourcing (Market Share)
While outsourcing destinations are diversifying, a few countries continue to dominate the global market.
16. India holds 17.58% of the global outsourcing market
India remains the undisputed leader in IT outsourcing, earning $254 billion in IT services in 2024 alone. The country is home to 5.8 million+ software developers.
| Country | Market Share | Specialization |
|---|---|---|
| India | 17.58% | IT, KPO, Software Development |
| Philippines | 13.5% | BPO, Customer Service, Call Centers |
| Brazil | 12.5% | IT Services, Nearshore |
| Poland | 12.12% | Software Development, IT |
| Ukraine | 10.37% | Software Engineering |
| Romania | 8.74% | IT Services |
17. India controls 70% of the global KPO market
Beyond basic IT, India dominates Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO)—high-value services like data analytics, research, and financial analysis.
18. Philippines is the "BPO Capital of the World"
With a 92.5% English proficiency rate, the Philippines is preferred over India for voice-based customer support. Giants like Teleperformance, Sitel, and Accenture have major operations there.
Eastern Europe Rising: Poland, Ukraine, Romania, and Bulgaria collectively represent nearly 40% of global software outsourcing—known for technical excellence and EU timezone alignment.
Small Business Outsourcing Statistics
Small businesses are increasingly turning to outsourcing to compete with larger companies and access specialized talent.
19. 37% of small businesses outsource at least one process
Over a third of SMBs already use outsourcing, with accounting and IT being the most commonly outsourced functions at 37% each.
20. 83% of organizations successfully reduced costs through outsourcing
The vast majority of companies that try outsourcing achieve their cost-reduction goals—making it one of the most reliable business strategies for improving margins.
| Function | % of Small Businesses |
|---|---|
| Accounting & IT Services | 37% |
| Digital Marketing | 34% |
| Development | 28% |
| Human Resources | 24% |
| Customer Support | 24% |
Why Companies Outsource (Top Reasons)
Understanding why companies outsource reveals the strategic value beyond simple cost savings.
21. 84% of businesses outsource primarily for cost reduction
According to Deloitte, cost savings remains the #1 driver of outsourcing decisions. However, it's far from the only reason companies choose external partners.
| Reason for Outsourcing | % of Companies |
|---|---|
| Cost reduction | 84% |
| Standardization of processes | 82% |
| Development of capabilities | 70% |
| Focus on core tasks | 59% |
| Increase productivity | 57% |
| Address talent shortages | 45% |
22. 74% of employers struggle to find skilled talent
According to ManPowerGroup's 2025 study, nearly three-quarters of employers face talent shortages—making outsourcing an essential strategy for accessing specialized skills.
2025 Shift: Companies now outsource for speed, AI integration, and access to scarce skills—not just cost savings. 80% of executives plan to maintain or increase outsourcing investment.
Outsourcing Trends 2025
The outsourcing landscape is evolving rapidly with new technologies and changing business priorities.
23. AI and ML development demand grew 170% in 2025
The explosion in AI has created massive demand for machine learning engineers and AI specialists—skills that many companies can only access through outsourcing.
24. Global IT spend reached $5.43 trillion in 2025
IT spending grew 7.9% from 2024, but companies still report developer shortages. This gap continues to drive outsourcing growth.
Key 2025 Trends
- AI Integration — Companies outsource for AI-driven engineering and machine learning capabilities
- Nearshoring Rise — Latin America gaining traction for US companies seeking timezone alignment
- Cybersecurity Priority — Top IT outsourcing category as threats increase
- Cloud Services Growth — Major driver of IT outsourcing expansion
- Digital Transformation — Consulting for digital initiatives increasingly outsourced
AI Impact: Vietnam is emerging as a strong competitor with labor costs 90% less than the US and 50% less than India/Philippines—especially for AI development work.
The Future of Outsourcing
The outsourcing industry shows no signs of slowing down. With global spending expected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030 and AI transforming how work is done, outsourcing will remain a critical strategy for businesses worldwide.
Whether you're a small business considering your first outsourcing partnership or a Fortune 500 company optimizing your global workforce, understanding these statistics can help you make informed decisions about where and how to leverage external talent.
Sources
- DemandSage - Outsourcing Statistics 2025
- Fortunly - Outsourcing Statistics
- Statista - IT Outsourcing Market Forecast
- JoinGenius - Outsourcing Statistics by Industry
- SMB Guide - Outsourcing Statistics
- Digital Minds BPO - Key Outsourcing Statistics
- Netguru - Top Companies Using Outsourcing
- Dreamix - Software Outsourcing Market Size by Country