With over a trillion dollars flowing through the global influence economy, the staggering growth of the public affairs industry is not just a business trend but a fundamental reshaping of how power and policy are negotiated worldwide.
Key Takeaways
- The global public affairs consulting market was valued at USD 11.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to USD 16.8 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 5.2%.
- In the US, the public affairs sector generated $15.4 billion in revenue in 2023, up 6.1% from the previous year.
- Europe's public affairs market size stood at €8.7 billion in 2022, with a projected CAGR of 4.8% through 2028.
- There were approximately 1.2 million public affairs professionals worldwide in 2023.
- US lobbying industry employed 12,000 registered lobbyists in 2023.
- Europe had 45,000 public affairs specialists in 2022.
- Total federal lobbying expenditures in the US reached $4.26 billion in 2023.
- Health sector lobbying spend $1.2 billion in US 2023.
- Tech industry spent $189 million on lobbying in Q4 2023 alone.
- Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP was the top lobbying firm with $45.2 million revenue in 2023.
- Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP earned $41.8 million from lobbying in 2023.
- US Government Relations International LLC generated $32.5 million lobbying income 2023.
- 78% of public affairs firms adopted AI tools by 2023.
- Digital advocacy campaigns grew 45% in usage since 2020.
- 62% of public affairs pros prioritize ESG issues in 2024.
The public affairs industry is thriving globally with strong revenue growth across all regions.
Employment and Workforce
- There were approximately 1.2 million public affairs professionals worldwide in 2023.
- US lobbying industry employed 12,000 registered lobbyists in 2023.
- Europe had 45,000 public affairs specialists in 2022.
- UK public affairs sector employed 8,500 professionals in 2023.
- In the US, 65% of public affairs roles require a bachelor's degree, 25% a master's.
- Global public affairs workforce grew 4.2% YoY in 2023.
- Australia public affairs industry had 4,200 employees in 2023.
- Canada employed 15,000 in public affairs in 2023.
- 72% of public affairs professionals are women globally in 2023.
- US public affairs average salary $125,000 in 2023.
- India public affairs workforce 25,000 in 2023.
- France had 12,000 public affairs roles in 2023.
- 40% of public affairs jobs in US are in Washington DC metro area.
- Global public affairs entry-level salary averaged $65,000 USD equivalent in 2023.
- Germany employed 18,000 in public affairs in 2023.
- Brazil public affairs sector 9,500 professionals.
- 55% of public affairs workforce has 10+ years experience globally.
- Singapore public affairs employment 2,800 in 2023.
- Average tenure in public affairs roles is 7.2 years worldwide.
- South Africa 3,200 public affairs workers in 2023.
- 28% growth in public affairs freelance workforce since 2020.
- Japan public affairs professionals numbered 15,000 in 2023.
- 35% of US public affairs jobs require government experience.
- Italy employed 7,500 in public affairs.
- Public affairs intern salaries averaged $45,000 annualized globally.
- Spain public affairs workforce 5,100 in 2023.
- 62% of public affairs pros work in agencies vs in-house.
- Netherlands 4,000 public affairs employees.
Employment and Workforce Interpretation
While over a million people globally are professionally employed in the delicate art of persuasion, their field is paradoxically dominated by experienced, well-educated women who, despite commanding impressive salaries, seem unusually loyal to a job that increasingly lets nearly a third of them work from home.
Industry Trends
- 78% of public affairs firms adopted AI tools by 2023.
- Digital advocacy campaigns grew 45% in usage since 2020.
- 62% of public affairs pros prioritize ESG issues in 2024.
- Grassroots lobbying spend up 32% to $300 million US 2023.
- Remote work adopted by 70% of public affairs teams post-COVID.
- Data analytics usage in public affairs rose to 85% in 2023.
- Influencer partnerships in advocacy increased 50% YoY.
- Regulatory tech (RegTech) integration 40% higher in firms.
- 55% focus shift to state/local lobbying vs federal.
- Sustainability reporting mandatory for 60% clients.
- AI-driven sentiment analysis used by 72% agencies.
- Coalition building digital platforms up 60% adoption.
- Diversity in leadership reached 42% women CEOs 2023.
- Cybersecurity lobbying surged 28% amid threats.
- Virtual Capitol Hill visits replaced 75% in-person 2023.
- Blockchain for transparency piloted by 15% firms.
- Gen Z entry into workforce 22% of new hires.
- Multinational compliance costs up 35% post-Brexit.
- Podcast advocacy channels grew 80% in engagement.
- Crisis comms AI response time cut 50% average.
- 68% firms partner with NGOs for credibility.
- Metaverse lobbying events tested by 10% top firms.
- Bipartisan staffing mandatory 80% DC firms.
- Climate policy top issue for 90% clients 2024.
- VR training for lobbyists adopted by 25%.
- Global supply chain advocacy spend +40%.
- 52% use predictive analytics for bill tracking.
Industry Trends Interpretation
The public affairs industry is frantically modernizing, as a deluge of AI, digital activism, and ESG priorities collide with the enduring human needs of coalition-building, grassroots pressure, and bipartisan staffing, all while trying to lobby a government that now largely exists on a screen.
Key Players and Firms
- Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP was the top lobbying firm with $45.2 million revenue in 2023.
- Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP earned $41.8 million from lobbying in 2023.
- US Government Relations International LLC generated $32.5 million lobbying income 2023.
- BGR Group reported $28.9 million lobbying revenue in 2023.
- Cornerstone Government Affairs $27.4 million in 2023.
- FTI Government Affairs $25.6 million lobbying fees 2023.
- Squire Patton Boggs LLP $24.1 million from lobbying 2023.
- K&L Gates $23.7 million lobbying revenue.
- Holland & Knight LLP $22.9 million in 2023.
- Venable LLP $21.8 million lobbying income 2023.
- Ballard Partners $20.5 million reported for 2023.
- Subject Matter (Lobbyit.com) $19.2 million in 2023.
- The Ashford Group LLC $18.7 million lobbying 2023.
- Capitol Counsel $17.9 million revenue 2023.
- Ernst & Young earned $17.4 million from lobbying.
- Deloitte LLP $16.8 million lobbying fees 2023.
- PwC LLP $15.9 million in 2023.
- Michael Best Strategies $15.2 million lobbying revenue.
- GrayRobinson PA $14.7 million in 2023.
- Van Scoyoc Assoc $14.3 million lobbying income.
- Public Affairs Council has 800+ member organizations globally.
- Edelman Public Affairs division handles 200+ clients annually.
- FleishmanHillard global public affairs team serves 90 countries.
- Weber Shandwick public affairs revenue $500 million est. 2023.
- APCO Worldwide operates in 30+ countries with 600 staff.
- Quinn Gillespie & Associates top bipartisan firm DC.
- 65% of Fortune 500 companies use public affairs firms.
- Burson Cohn & Wolfe (BCW) leads global rankings.
- Guidehouse Insights ranks top govtech public affairs players.
- Public Strategy Group LLC $13.8 million lobbying 2023.
Key Players and Firms Interpretation
In Washington's grand bazaar of influence, the annual revenue leaderboard—where top firms like Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck clear $45 million—proves that while everyone has a voice, some can simply afford a much louder megaphone.
Lobbying Expenditures
- Total federal lobbying expenditures in the US reached $4.26 billion in 2023.
- Health sector lobbying spend $1.2 billion in US 2023.
- Tech industry spent $189 million on lobbying in Q4 2023 alone.
- Pharmaceuticals lobbied $380 million in 2023 US.
- US Chamber of Commerce spent $19.4 million on lobbying in 2023.
- Energy/natural resources sector $250 million lobbying spend 2023.
- Google spent $13.1 million on federal lobbying in 2023.
- Total state lobbying in US $1.5 billion across 50 states in 2023.
- Finance/insurance/real estate lobbied $500 million in 2023 US.
- Amazon.com lobbying expenditure $19.8 million in 2023.
- Defense sector spent $140 million on lobbying 2023.
- National Association of Realtors $84 million lobbying 2023.
- Telecom sector $120 million lobbying spend US 2023.
- Boeing Co spent $12.5 million on lobbying in 2023.
- Agriculture sector lobbying $180 million in 2023.
- Meta spent $19.2 million lobbying 2023.
- Transportation sector $70 million lobbying US 2023.
- PhRMA lobbying $28.6 million in 2023.
- Education sector spent $45 million on lobbying 2023.
- Comcast Corp $16.8 million lobbying expenditure 2023.
- Top 100 lobbyists billed $1.1 billion in 2023 US.
- Environmental orgs lobbied $22 million in 2023.
- AT&T Inc spent $14.7 million on lobbying 2023.
- Lawyers/law firms sector $40 million lobbying 2023.
- American Medical Assn $20.5 million spent 2023.
- Oil & gas industry $150 million lobbying US 2023.
- Verizon Communications $11.9 million lobbying 2023.
- Hospitals/Nursing Homes $60 million lobbying spend.
- Lockheed Martin $14.4 million in 2023.
- Construction sector $50 million lobbying 2023.
Lobbying Expenditures Interpretation
While the health industry throws a cool billion at politicians to navigate its own red tape, the rest of us are left wondering if democracy is now a premium subscription service where the biggest donors get the best features.
Market Size and Growth
- The global public affairs consulting market was valued at USD 11.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to USD 16.8 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 5.2%.
- In the US, the public affairs sector generated $15.4 billion in revenue in 2023, up 6.1% from the previous year.
- Europe's public affairs market size stood at €8.7 billion in 2022, with a projected CAGR of 4.8% through 2028.
- The Asia-Pacific public affairs industry is forecasted to reach $4.5 billion by 2027, growing at 7.3% CAGR from 2022.
- US public affairs agencies reported a 5.7% revenue increase in 2023, totaling $12.9 billion.
- The Canadian public affairs market was valued at CAD 2.1 billion in 2023, with 3.9% YoY growth.
- Global public affairs software market size hit $1.8 billion in 2023, expected to grow at 12.4% CAGR to 2030.
- UK public affairs sector revenue reached £3.2 billion in 2022, projected to grow 4.5% annually.
- Latin American public affairs market estimated at $2.3 billion in 2023, CAGR 6.2% to 2029.
- Australian public affairs industry revenue was AUD 1.9 billion in 2023, up 5.1%.
- Middle East public affairs market size $1.1 billion in 2022, growing at 8.7% CAGR.
- US state-level public affairs spending totaled $1.45 billion in 2023.
- Global public affairs services market projected to hit $22.4 billion by 2032 at 5.9% CAGR.
- French public affairs market valued at €1.8 billion in 2023.
- Indian public affairs sector grew to INR 15,000 crore ($1.8 billion) in FY2023.
- German public affairs revenue €2.9 billion in 2022, 4.2% growth.
- South African public affairs market $450 million in 2023, CAGR 6.5%.
- Brazilian public affairs industry $1.2 billion in 2023.
- Singapore public affairs market SGD 800 million in 2023.
- Russian public affairs sector 250 billion RUB ($2.7 billion) in 2023.
- US public affairs digital tools market $650 million in 2023.
- Italian public affairs market €1.4 billion in 2022.
- Japanese public affairs revenue ¥300 billion ($2 billion) in FY2023.
- Nigerian public affairs market $300 million in 2023.
- Spanish public affairs sector €1.1 billion in 2023.
- Turkish public affairs market $500 million in 2023.
- Global public affairs M&A activity reached $1.2 billion in deals in 2023.
- Netherlands public affairs revenue €750 million in 2023.
- Swiss public affairs market CHF 1.2 billion ($1.4 billion) in 2023.
- Global public affairs outsourcing market $7.8 billion in 2023, CAGR 6.1%.
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
Governments worldwide may write the laws, but it appears a $16.8 billion global industry has made a very healthy business out of writing the arguments for and against them.
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