Some of the World’s Biggest Companies, Workforce, Global Power

Explore some of the world’s biggest companies by revenue and workforce. This post highlights key giants like Amazon, Walmart, Apple, and more with headquarters addresses, employee numbers, and insights into what makes them global powerhouses.

The business world is shaped by corporations that reach into every corner of the globe. These companies dominate markets, influence economies, and employ hundreds of thousands even millions of people. In this post, we look at some of the biggest companies in the world, ranked by revenue and employee count. From tech titans to retail behemoths, these giants are more than just brands they are institutions.

1. Walmart Inc.

• Headquarters: 702 S.W. 8th Street, Bentonville, Arkansas 72716, United States
• Employees: Over 2.1 million (2024)

Walmart is the largest company in the world by revenue and also the biggest private employer globally. The retail juggernaut operates over 10,500 stores under 46 banners in 24 countries. Known for its “Everyday Low Prices” philosophy, Walmart revolutionized retail supply chains and set the benchmark for operational efficiency.

Its workforce is the size of some national populations. From cashiers to logistics managers, Walmart remains a critical employer, especially in the U.S., Mexico, and Chile.

2. Amazon.com, Inc.

• Headquarters: 410 Terry Avenue North, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
• Employees: Around 1.5 million (2024)

What began as an online bookstore has grown into one of the most dominant forces in global commerce. Amazon is the largest online retailer and a key player in cloud computing (AWS), streaming (Prime Video), and logistics.

Its labor force spans from warehouse workers and delivery drivers to cloud engineers and software developers. With major operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, Amazon’s logistics and technological capabilities are unmatched.

3. State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC)

• Headquarters: No. 86, West Chang’an Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
• Employees: Over 870,000 (2024)

State Grid is China’s national electric utility corporation and one of the largest companies in the world by revenue. It is responsible for building and maintaining the electric grid that powers the homes and industries of over 1 billion people.

With a workforce nearing a million, State Grid exemplifies state-backed corporate might, playing a vital role in China’s infrastructure and economic growth.

4. China National Petroleum Corporation Companies (CNPC)

• Headquarters: No. 9 Dongzhimen North Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
• Employees: Over 1.3 million (2024)

CNPC is one of the largest oil and gas corporations globally and a key driver of China’s energy needs. It’s involved in the exploration, production, refining, and distribution of petroleum and gas. The company is heavily engaged in international oil field projects across the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa.

5. Volkswagen AG

• Headquarters: Berliner Ring 2, 38440 Wolfsburg, Germany
• Employees: Approximately 675,000 (2024)

Volkswagen is not just one of the biggest car manufacturers it owns brands like Audi, Porsche, Skoda, SEAT, and Lamborghini. With a footprint in over 150 countries, VW’s global influence in the automobile industry is significant.

Its workforce is vast and spans across manufacturing, engineering, design, software, and sales. VW continues to push into the EV (electric vehicle) market, investing billions into green innovation.

6. Apple Inc.

• Headquarters: Apple Park, 1 Apple Park Way, Cupertino, California 95014, United States
• Employees: Over 160,000 (2024)

Apple is the most valuable brand in the world and an innovation leader in consumer electronics. Known for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, Apple also generates significant revenue from services like Apple Music, iCloud, and the App Store.

Despite having fewer employees compared to companies like Walmart, Apple’s influence is enormous. It sets industry trends in hardware design, user experience, and environmental responsibility.

7. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

• Headquarters: 9900 Bren Road East, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343, United States
• Employees: Approximately 400,000 (2024)

UnitedHealth Group is the largest healthcare company in the world by revenue. It provides health insurance services through UnitedHealthcare and health care solutions through Optum.

Its workforce includes healthcare professionals, IT specialists, and support staff. As healthcare becomes increasingly data-driven, UnitedHealth is expanding into AI and health informatics.

8. Toyota Motor Corporation

• Headquarters: 1 Toyota-Cho, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture 471-8571, Japan
• Employees: Around 370,000 (2024)

Toyota is a household name in cars and innovation. Famous for its reliability and efficiency, it has been a leader in hybrid vehicles and is now investing heavily in hydrogen and EVs.

From Japan to North America and Europe, Toyota’s manufacturing and research facilities are among the most advanced globally.

9. Berkshire Hathaway Companies Inc.

• Headquarters: 3555 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, United States
• Employees: Over 390,000 (2024)

Berkshire Hathaway is a multinational conglomerate led by the legendary Warren Buffett. It owns a wide array of businesses, from insurance (GEICO) and utilities (BHE) to railroads (BNSF) and candy (See’s Candies).

The diversity of its holdings means its workforce is equally varied engineers, insurance underwriters, factory workers, and managers all form part of the Berkshire ecosystem.

10. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

• Headquarters: 129 Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
• Employees: Around 290,000 (2024)

Samsung is a global leader in electronics, semiconductors, displays, and smartphones. As a pillar of South Korea’s economy, Samsung’s innovations power much of the world’s consumer tech and enterprise hardware.

It also invests in AI, robotics, and next-gen telecommunications such as 6G, pushing the frontier of future technologies.

Companies Thoughts

These companies are not only economic powerhouses but also cultural and technological beacons. Their decisions influence stock markets, supply chains, labor trends, and even climate policies. While each has its own origin story and mission, they all share one thing: global impact.

Whether through innovation, scale, or service, these giants shape the world we live in and will continue to do so for decades to come.

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🏷️ Tags: biggest companies, global business, employee numbers, Amazon, Walmart, Apple, CNPC, State Grid, Samsung, Toyota, Berkshire Hathaway, headquarters addresses