Social Sciences and Humanities Services Market Report 2026

The social sciences and humanities services market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $70.38 billion in 2025 to $79.36 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of academic and institutional research programs, increasing government-funded social research initiatives, growing need for socioeconomic analysis, rising demand for behavioral research, availability of structured research methodologies.

The social sciences and humanities services market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $139.59 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing use of advanced analytics in social studies, rising investments in digital humanities research, growing demand for policy impact assessment, expansion of interdisciplinary social research, increasing focus on global development studies. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of digital research platforms, rising use of data analytics in social research, growing demand for policy-oriented research services, expansion of cross-cultural and global studies, enhanced focus on evidence-based decision making.

The increasing demand to comprehend human behavior, identify societal issues, and discover solutions is propelling the growth of the social sciences and humanities services market. Behavioral analysis is essential for seeking solutions to various challenges, including social, business, personal, governmental, and environmental problems. This analysis aids in understanding people's perceptions, motivations, and priorities, as well as their decision-making processes and habitual behaviors that are often unconsciously regulated. For example, in November 2023, the American Psychological Association (APA), a US-based scientific and professional organization, reported that among adults, those aged 18 to 34 exhibited the highest prevalence of mental illnesses, with 50% affected in 2023, while adults aged 35 to 44 saw the most significant rise in diagnoses, with 45% reporting a mental illness. Consequently, the necessity to grasp human behavior for societal understanding and problem-solving is driving the social sciences and humanities services market.

Methodological advancements, particularly in big data, are emerging as a significant trend in the social sciences and humanities services market. Researchers now have access to vast amounts of real-time, fine-grained data from various global sources. These sources include social media, mass media activities, event data, and geographic information systems. Although currently, only a limited number of social scientists utilize big data simulations in their research, the establishment of a formal institution that fosters an appropriate environment could encourage more researchers to incorporate big data into their simulations. For example, in March 2024, Singapore Management University (SMU), a specialized and research-intensive university in Singapore, announced the launch of the inaugural Social Science and Humanities Ideas Festival in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE). This event aims to highlight the role of social sciences and humanities research in tackling emerging societal challenges while promoting public engagement through a series of events, discussions, and networking opportunities.

In May 2024, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, an independent publishing house based in the UK, has acquired Rowman & Littlefield Academic for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition aims to greatly enhance Bloomsbury's academic and digital footprint in North America, effectively doubling the size of its academic and professional business while broadening its reach in the arts, humanities, and social sciences sectors. Rowman & Littlefield Academic, a US-based publisher, specializes in academic books and journals spanning various disciplines, particularly within the humanities and social sciences.

Major companies operating in the social sciences and humanities services market include Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Association for the Social Sciences and Humanities in HIV, Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, East View, The University of Melbourne, Archaeological Research Services Ltd., Historical research associates Inc., University of Virginia, Georgia Institute of Technology, Yale University, Stanford University, University of Texas at Austin, University of Washington, Cornell University, Ohio State University, University of Pittsburgh, The University of Tokyo, University of Oxford, California Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Purdue University, University of Michigan, University of California Los Angeles, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Pennsylvania, University of Toronto, PrInc.eton University

North America was the largest region in the social sciences and humanities services market in 2025. Western Europe was the second largest region in the global social sciences and humanities services market analysis. The regions covered in the social sciences and humanities services market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the social sciences and humanities services market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The social sciences and humanities services market consists of revenue earned by entities that engage in research on cognitive development, sociology, psychology, language, behavior, economic and other social science and humanities research. Most of the social sciences and humanities organizations are funded by public sector organizations. Some private companies also fund research activities of social sciences and humanities organizations. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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