Global Biggest Industries by Revenue in 2024

1. Global Life & Health Insurance Carriers

Revenue for 2024: $5,531,9B

The industry has decreased over the five years to 2023 despite the growth of global demand for insurance products. The industry provides essential risk management services to downstream consumers and is a vital part of the financial sector, particularly concerning the industry's massive asset holdings. Industry operators protect individuals from current, immediate and long-term illness, injury and death costs. By merging various risks, life and health insurers protect a fraction of the potential loss. The role of life and health insurers has become increasingly important as the global population has aged. Although the industry provides essential products and services, operators... Learn More

2. Global Car & Automobile Sales

Revenue for 2024: $4,357,5B

In recent years, a slowdown in established economies like the United States, Canada and Europe has hampered the Global Car and Automobile Sales industry. Housing two of the world's largest car dealers, these geographies grappled with diminishing car sales, overshadowing solid growth achieved in emerging economies. Supply chain disruptions following COVID-19 stalled new car production, driving up car prices in 2021 and 2022. Dealers benefited from a surge in used car demand as new vehicle prices became prohibitive for many consumers, supporting a global recovery in automobile sales. Over the past five years, revenue has dwindled at a CAGR of... Learn More

3. Global Commercial Real Estate

Revenue for 2024: $4,329,8B

The Global Commercial Real Estate industry has declined over the past five years. Specifically, investor confidence slightly declined over the same period as COVID-19 severely constricted demand. As a result, industry revenue is expected to slightly decline an annualized 2.5% to $4.3 trillion over the five years to 2023, including an anticipated increase of 1.6% in 2023 as the economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

The growth of a country's economy tends to boost industry revenue since business expansions and higher consumer spending often creates demand for industry services, such as office leasing, sales and brokerage services. The strong expansion of... Learn More

4. Global Pension Funds

Revenue for 2024: $4,253,6B

Pension funds, composed of defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) plans, have been the primary means for meeting the retirement requirements of an aging global population. Industry revenue consists of contributions, investment income, net sales of securities and more. Positive investment returns from equities have driven the growth of revenue despite volatility in financial markets. Global pension funds revenue has been increasing at a CAGR of 1.3% over the past five years, including an estimated 2.7% in 2023 alone, and is expected to total $4.3 trillion in 2023, with profit set to drop to 38.4%.

Employers are increasingly offering DC... Learn More

5. Global Oil & Gas Exploration & Production

Revenue for 2024: $4,233,8B

The Global Oil and Gas Exploration and Production industry has gone through major turbulence over the five years to 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying socioeconomic restrictions significantly disrupted macroeconomic activity, leading to tremendous volatility within global energy markets. Industry revenue fell to multi-decade lows in 2020 before reaching all-time highs in 2022 as production and prices of hydrocarbons were completely unstable. Industry revenue has increased at a CAGR of 9.6% to $5.3 trillion over the five years to 2023, despite a decline of 19.8% in 2023 alone. During this time, the United States has emerged as a key player... Learn More

6. Global Direct General Insurance Carriers

Revenue for 2024: $2,858,5B

The Global Direct General Insurance Carriers industry has faced challenges over the past five years, with issues such as a soft insurance market, low interest rates and numerous catastrophes affecting all operators in major markets. However, the rapid growth of emerging markets has slightly offset stagnating mature markets. An expanding middle class in countries like China has increased demand for insurance, driving industry growth. Therefore, global direct general insurance carrier revenue is expected to fall at a CAGR of 1.1% over the past five years – including an estimated 2.9% decrease in the current year – and is expected to... Learn More

7. Global Auto Parts & Accessories Manufacturing

Revenue for 2024: $2,721,2B

Revenue for the Global Auto Parts and Accessories Manufacturing industry has decreased at a CAGR of 6.3% over the past five years – including stagnating in 2023 alone – and is expected to total $1.9 trillion in 2023, when profit is set to drop to 5.3%. The auto parts aftermarket has helped generate revenue as average vehicle ages have increased. Demand for this segment tends to rise with the number of vehicles in use, and therefore, as more individuals take to the roads, demand for replacement parts increases.

The problems with the global supply chain due to COVID-19 deeply affected industry... Learn More

8. Global Car & Automobile Manufacturing

Revenue for 2024: $2,668,9B

Global car and automobile manufacturers benefited from strong consumer, business and government spending on passenger vehicles amid stable macroeconomic growth and historically low interest rates before the pandemic. Significant technological improvements, particularly regarding hybrid and electric vehicles, internal combustion engine fuel efficiency, infotainment development and autonomous driving capabilities, have also spurred global demand from the growing middle class. Even so, the pandemic led to a monumental slowdown, slashing vehicle demand. As a result, automaker revenue contracted at an expected CAGR of 2.3% to $2.6 trillion through the current period, despite a 1.6% jump in 2023 as the economy heats up.

Aluminum... Learn More

9. Global Coal Mining

Revenue for 2024: $2,542,6B

Coal mined by global coal mining companies plays a vital role in the world's ability to generate electricity and manufacture steel. Coal's position in global electricity markets stems from its relative accessibility, affordability and distribution across the globe. The world's largest coal producers are China, the United States and India, with these countries expected to retain their positions for the foreseeable future. Global coal mining revenue is a function of global production of coal mined products alongside global coal prices, with prices being closely tied to global economic conditions. Over the five years to 2023, prices of thermal and coking... Learn More

10. Global Tourism

Revenue for 2024: $2,029,7B

The industry will increase at a CAGR of 0.8% to $2.3 trillion over the five years to 2023, including a growth of 13.9% in 2023 alone. Global tourism has performed well during most of the five-year period, with emerging economies stimulating growth. Countries in Asia and South America have experienced robust growth in per capita income, which has enabled consumers in these regions to take overseas trips in increasing numbers. But because of COVID-19, industry revenue collapsed 40.1% in 2020. The global outbreak had an enormous effect on all tourism-related industries as many countries suspended international travel and limited the... Learn More