Top 10 Largest Employers Globally

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The 10 Largest Employers Around the Globe in 2025

1. Walmart – The Retail Giant Leading the Workforce
Walmart continues to hold its position as the world’s largest employer, with over 2.3 million associates working across its stores, distribution centers, and corporate offices. Its expansive network of more than 10,000 retail locations across the globe secures its top spot. The company’s focus on e-commerce integration and workforce expansion in various regions shows its commitment to maintaining a massive workforce. Despite economic fluctuations, Walmart’s employment numbers remain resilient, balancing traditional retail roles with new retail technology positions.

2. China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) – Powering China’s Economy
As one of China’s leading state-owned oil and gas companies, CNPC employs approximately 1.7 million people worldwide. Its operations span exploration, extraction, refining, and distribution, making it a pivotal player in energy production. Given China’s strategic emphasis on energy independence and infrastructure growth, CNPC’s personnel count continues to grow, reflecting its role as a major employment driver in the energy sector.

3. Amazon – Dominance in E-Commerce and Logistics
Amazon has solidified its position as a global e-commerce and cloud services leader, with around 1.6 million employees. Its expanding warehouses, data centers, and delivery services in multiple countries demand a broad workforce. Amazon’s investments in automation and logistics technology aim to streamline operations, but the company still relies heavily on human labor to meet consumer demand, especially during the holiday seasons.

4. State Grid Corporation of China – The Electric Power Network
With approximately 1.5 million employees, State Grid is China’s largest utility company. It manages the transmission and distribution of electricity across vast regions, supporting millions of households and industries. As China accelerates its push toward renewable energy and smart grid technologies, State Grid’s workforce is expected to evolve, including new roles in sustainable energy initiatives.

5. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China – The World’s Largest Military Force
The PLA employs around 2 million active service members, making it one of the largest military organizations globally. Its extensive personnel are engaged in defense, technological research, and national security operations. With ongoing modernization efforts, the PLA’s manpower may see shifts, especially with increased emphasis on cyber and space warfare.

6. McDonald’s – A Global Fast Food Powerhouse
McDonald’s employs roughly 2 million people predominantly in store operations, corporate functions, and franchise management worldwide. As part of its strategy to adapt to COVID-19-era dining trends, McDonald’s has focused on drive-thru services, delivery, and digital ordering. These innovations have supported sustained employment levels even amid changing consumer behaviors.

7. Indian Railways – Connecting a Growing Nation
With an estimated 1.3 million employees, Indian Railways stands as one of the world’s largest employers. Its vast network supports economic activity across India, transporting millions daily. The government continues investing in modernization, which may alter employment dynamics through increased automation and infrastructure upgrades.

8. National Health Service (NHS) – The Backbone of British Healthcare
The UK’s NHS employs approximately 1.5 million healthcare professionals, administrators, and support staff. Amid ongoing health crises and aging populations, NHS staffing levels remain high. Recent efforts focus on expanding workforce capacity, especially in nursing and specialized medical fields, to address rising demand.

9. State-Owned Enterprises in Russia – Power and Resource Distribution
Russian state companies like Gazprom and Rosneft together employ around 1.2 million workers. Their operations in energy, transportation, and infrastructure underpin Russia’s economy. As government policies push for diversification and modernization, employment figures are likely to shift, adjusting to new strategic focuses.

10. Subway Systems of New York City – Transportation Infrastructure at Scale
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) employs approximately 70,000 workers, maintaining one of the busiest transit systems globally. Despite operational challenges, recent investments in infrastructure and technology upgrades have aimed to boost employment and improve service reliability.

Conclusion:
These global giants symbolize the scale and diversity of employment across industries and regions. Whether in energy, retail, defense, healthcare, or transportation, their workforce sizes are testament to economic priorities and development trajectories in 2025. As businesses evolve with technological advances and geopolitical shifts, employment figures in these sectors will continue to be key indicators of global economic health.