Industry Statistics and Trends
Investigation Services in Europe key trends
Falling M&A activity dampens the need for European corporate investigations.
Shrinking merger and acquisition activity between 2019 and 2023 due to steep interest rates has subdued businesses' demand for due diligence checks before pursuing high-value deals.
Private investigations are increasingly shifting towards digital forensics.
As cybercrimes such as hacking, online harassment and identity theft soar, investigators are honing their expertise in IT security to handle these complex cases.
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Investigation Services in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2012-2030. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Investigation Services in Europe market size (2020-2025)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 0.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €1.2bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Weak European merger and acquisition activity in Europe has weighed on revenue from corporate investigations
- Businesses use corporate investigators to investigate other businesses in the lead-up to any potential mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to complete due diligence and ensure there are no unknown risks or liabilities.
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Investigation Services in Europe outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Intensifying price competition will squeeze profit, but specialist corporate investigations will sustain a high margin
- The growing influx of low-cost, digital-first entrants is expected to intensify price competition in the European investigation services industry, particularly from low-cost entrants and digital-first platforms that compete aggressively on price.
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Revenue
€1.2bn
Employees
25,348
Wages
€XXX.Xm
European Leaders & Laggards
* CAGR values are for the years 2020-2025.
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Biggest companies in the Investigation Services in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 | Profit (€m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP | 2,810.0 | 1,299.1 | 46.2 | |
Clifford Chance LLP | 2,945.6 | 1,160.8 | 39.4 | |
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP | 2,569.6 | 781.0 | 30.4 |
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Investigation Services in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Investigation Services industry in Europe in 2025?
The market size of the Investigation Services industry in Europe is €1.2bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Investigation Services industry in Europe in 2025?
There are 7,767 businesses in the Investigation Services industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.3 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Investigation Services industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Investigation Services industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 0.3 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Investigation Services industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Investigation Services industry in Europe is expected to grow.
What does the Investigation Services industry in Europe include?
Corporate investigations and Private investigations are part of the Investigation Services industry in Europe.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Investigation Services industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Investigation Services industry is United Kingdom.
How competitive is the Investigation Services industry in Europe?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Investigation Services industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Investigation Services in Portugal
- Investigation Services in the Netherlands
- Investigation Services in Lithuania
- Investigation Services in Switzerland
- Investigation Services in Germany
- Investigation Services in Europe
- Investigation Services in Austria
- Investigation Services in Romania
- Investigation Services in Slovakia
- Investigation Services in Hungary
- Investigation Services in Denmark
- Investigation Services in Poland
- Investigation Services in Ireland
- Investigation Services in Spain
- Investigation Services in France
- Investigation Services in Norway
- Investigation Services in Italy
- Investigation Services in the UK
- Investigation Services in Sweden
- Investigation Services in Slovenia
- Investigation Services in Greece
- Investigation Services in Czechia
- Investigation Services in Serbia
- Investigation Services in Belgium
- Investigation Services in Cyprus
- Investigation Services in Bulgaria
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Operators in this industry conduct investigation and detective service activities. The industry encompasses activities of all private investigators, independent of the type of client or purpose of investigation.
Related Terms
Due DiligenceBackground CheckCorporate EspionageWhat's included in this industry?
Corporate investigationsPrivate investigationsCompanies
Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLPClifford Chance LLPFreshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLPIndustry Code
803 - Investigation activities in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Weak European merger and acquisition activity in Europe has weighed on revenue from corporate investigations
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2025 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Investigation Services in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Employees in the Investigation Services in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Business in the Investigation Services in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Profit in the Investigation Services in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Investigation Services in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Investigation Services in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Investigation Services in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Investigation Services in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
M&A downturn hits corporate investigation demand. The lull in European merger and acquisition activities, driven by low business confidence and high interest rates, is diminishing the need for corporate investigations.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Investigation Services in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Investigation Services in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Investigation Services in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Exporter
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2025)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2025)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2025)
- IVA (2025)
- Enterprises (2025)
- Employment (2025)
- Exports (2025)
- Imports (2025)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
The industry is highly fragmented. There are many PIs that offer services to just the local area. Corporate investigation is a more concentrated, with legal firms offering investigation services across multiple countries.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2020-2025)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 6 companies by market share:
- Market share (2025)
- Revenue (2025)
- Profit (2025)
- Profit Margin (2025)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP
- Countries of operation for Clifford Chance LLP
- Countries of operation for Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
- Countries of operation for Kroll LLC
- Countries of operation for Greves Verification Solutions DWC LLC
- Countries of operation for Expert Investigations Ltd
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
Some countries require private investigators to obtain licenses. A few countries in Europe require private investigators to obtain licenses to operate, which may involve fees, training and qualification requirements.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Investigation Services in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Investigation providers rake in profit. This is due to their ability to charge premium prices for specialist services in a competitive market, while maintaining low costs.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Investigation Services in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and bottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2025)
- Business Growth (2025)
- Job Growth (2025)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2025)
- Imports/Demand (2025)
- Exports/Revenue (2025)
- Revenue per Employee (2025)
- Wages/Revenue (2025)
- Employees per Establishment (2025)
- Average Wage (2025)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
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