The World's Largest Industries by Revenue & Jobs

Largest Industries in the World by Revenue (2025)

Based on global company revenues and global gross domestic product (global GDP), the retail, energy, and technology sectors lead the way. This ranking is built on publicly available data and reflects which sectors are driving the global economy, influencing GDP, and shaping investment trends across both developed and emerging markets.

These industries play a major role in global trade, supply chains, and innovation. From e-commerce giants to oil producers and utility providers, they represent the scale and reach of modern industry, and their impact is felt in everything from employment to exports.

Here is a detailed ranking of the top industries and companies in the world by revenue:

• Retail – Walmart: $650 billion. Retail tops the list, led by Walmart's massive global footprint and dominance across both physical and online channels.

• E-commerce & cloud computing — Amazon: $580 billion. Amazon continues to scale through e-commerce, AWS, and digital services.

• Energy — Saudi Aramco: $550 billion. Oil and energy remain central to the global economy despite green energy trends.

• Utilities — State Grid Corp of China: $490 billion. High demand for electricity across China powers massive revenues for this government-owned utility.

• Technology — Apple: $420 billion. Apple's ecosystem of hardware, services, and software positions it as a leader in consumer tech and innovation.

• Automotive — Volkswagen: $330 billion. The auto industry remains one of the largest manufacturing industry sectors, with global demand steady across vehicle segments.

• Health care — UnitedHealth Group: $320 billion. A reminder of health care's economic footprint, especially in aging economies and post-pandemic growth.

5 Largest Industries in the World by Revenue, Ranked by Lead Companies' Market Capitalization (2025)

This table takes the world's five largest industries by 2025 revenue and ranks them by the market cap of each sector's leading company. It highlights how financial value and global influence align across tech, energy, retail, and health care.

Top Global Industries by Employment (2025)

The services industry leads with the largest economy by a wide margin. These jobs shape the daily lives of billions, spanning sectors like finance, education, hospitality, and health care. Understanding global employment rankings helps clarify which industries hold the most economic weight and where the demand for labor is highest.

The following industries employ the largest number of people worldwide, based on 2025 estimates. This list reflects long-standing sectors like agriculture and manufacturing, as well as growing demand for services driven by population growth, digital transformation, and consumer spending:

• Services: ~1.6 billion jobs globally. Includes finance, health care, education, hospitality, and digital services.

• Agriculture: ~1.1 billion jobs. Primarily concentrated in developing countries, where farming remains a major employer.

• Retail: ~500 million jobs. Covers traditional stores and e-commerce logistics operations.

• Manufacturing: ~450 million jobs. Spans automotive, electronics, textiles, and industrial production.

• Construction: ~350 million jobs. Linked to infrastructure development and sustainable building projects.

• Government: ~250 million jobs. Includes administrative roles, public safety, and regulatory positions.

• Health care: ~150 million jobs. Driven by aging populations, medical innovation, and expanded access.

Fastest-Growing Industries To Watch

While the largest industries by revenue show where the global economy stands today, the fastest-growing sectors point to where it's headed. These are the industries attracting the most job growth and investment thanks to shifts in consumer behavior, new technologies, and global priorities like sustainability and digital infrastructure.

According to the World Economic Forum, the following industries are leading the way in workforce expansion and innovation:

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning. AI specialists, machine learning engineers, and data scientists are among the fastest-growing job roles globally, reshaping everything from software to semiconductor design.

• Fintech and financial services. Digital banking, blockchain, and payment technologies are transforming traditional finance and information technology while creating high-growth opportunities for startups and established institutions alike.

• Renewable energy and green tech. Clean energy, battery innovation, and sustainable materials are fueling growth in sectors focused on energy transition and climate resilience.

• Biotechnology and health care innovation. Aging populations and medical advancements are driving demand for biotech research, new treatments, and medical practices across global markets.

• E-commerce and logistics infrastructure. As online shopping continues to scale, demand is surging for warehousing, fulfillment networks, and last-mile delivery, creating ripple effects across transportation, real estate, and retail tech.

These sectors reflect the acceleration of technological advancements and global demand for smarter, more sustainable systems. As investment flows into artificial intelligence, fintech, and biotechnology, other sectors like aerospace, telecommunications, and real estate are evolving alongside them.

How Small Businesses Can Tap Into These Growth Industries

Small businesses and startups are increasingly important in the sectors driving the global economy forward, especially in industries like e-commerce, fintech, green energy, and logistics. But growth often requires access to fast, flexible funding.

Whether you're scaling operations, hiring talent, or investing in new technology, Clarify Capital offers funding solutions that help business owners act quickly when opportunity strikes. With a two-minute application, you can compare loan offers from 75+ lenders and get matched with a dedicated advisor who helps you choose the right financing option.

Here are some of the funding options available through Clarify Capital:

• Working capital loans. Maintain cash flow and cover daily operating expenses.

• Business lines of credit. Draw flexible capital as needed — perfect for fluctuating costs.

• Equipment financing. Get the machinery or tech you need without paying upfront.

• Short-term loans. Access fast funding to seize time-sensitive opportunities.

• Invoice factoring. Turn unpaid invoices into immediate working capital.

Where the World's Economy Is Headed

The largest industries in the world shape the future of work, innovation, and global investment priorities. As the industrial sector evolves alongside digital infrastructure and clean energy, fast-growing fields like AI, biotechnology, and renewables are setting the pace for the next wave of economic growth.

Small businesses will continue playing a key role in these emerging industries, adapting to new technologies and helping fuel growth in both local and global markets. Despite downturns in previous years, the global economy is shifting toward sectors with higher growth rates, stronger resilience, and long-term sustainability.

If your business is ready to grow in one of these fast-moving sectors, access the funding you need to stay competitive. Apply for financing today through Clarify Capital.