First Advantage Corporation, a global leader in HR technology, has officially released its 2025 Global Trends Report—offering critical insights into the rapidly evolving background screening landscape. The report, based on hundreds of customer survey responses and analysis of hundreds of millions of anonymized data points, highlights the most impactful developments in screening practices worldwide.
Serving more than 80,000 organizations across 200+ countries and territories, First Advantage provides a comprehensive view of global screening trends, shaped by deep domain expertise and advanced data analytics. The 2025 edition sheds light on major industry verticals including healthcare, transportation, education, retail, hospitality, and government.
Findings from the 2025 Global Trends Report
1. Acceleration of Speed and Automation
The demand for faster background checks surged in 2024, especially in the United States. Leveraging enhanced automation technologies, employers dramatically reduced turnaround times for criminal background screenings—achieving faster onboarding without sacrificing compliance.
2. Balancing Speed with Global Compliance
As hiring processes accelerate, organizations remain committed to maintaining adherence to complex and evolving global regulatory standards. Advanced screening technologies play a pivotal role in enabling faster processes that remain compliant across jurisdictions.
3. Rising Threat of Identity Fraud
As digital hiring increases, companies are strengthening their identity verification protocols. Employers are utilizing fraud mitigation tools and criminal history screening to reduce risk and enhance security.
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In the UK, 52% of applicants use touchless digital ID verification.
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9% utilize share codes to validate their right to work—underscoring the growing reliance on digital identity solutions.
“This year’s report emphasizes how the right blend of technology and compliance strategies can enable companies to hire smarter, onboard faster, and create a seamless candidate experience while upholding the highest standards of risk mitigation and security,” said Joelle Smith, President of First Advantage.
Driving Smarter Hiring in a Digital-First World
The 2025 Global Trends Report reaffirms that organizations are under increasing pressure to streamline hiring while remaining vigilant against fraud and noncompliance. By leveraging data-driven platforms like First Advantage’s, HR teams can drive efficiency, minimize risk, and deliver better candidate experiences across global markets.
From industry-specific benchmarks to emerging regulatory demands, First Advantage’s report offers a strategic roadmap for talent acquisition leaders and compliance officers to align their screening strategies with today’s workforce demands.
