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Revealed: the biggest employers in 25 countries around the world

Workforce giants, nation by nation
UAE – Emirates Group: at least 22,000 employees
Sweden – Volvo Group: 22,013 employees
Colombia – Grupo Éxito: 43,134 employees
Switzerland – Migros Group: 87,000 employees
New Zealand – Heath New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora: around 90,000 employees
Spain – Mercadona: 98,700 employees
Netherlands – Ahold Delhaize: around 100,000 employees
Vietnam – Vietnam Electricity: over 100,000 employees
Italy – Poste Italiane: almost 120,000 employees
South Korea – Samsung Electronic: 120,756 employees
Austria – Federal Government of Austria: 135,981 employees
Singapore – Singapore Public Service: 152,000 employees
Argentina – Federal Government of Argentina: 317,477 employees
Mexico – FEMSA: 321,000 employees
Australia: Government of New South Wales: 360,190 employees
Canada – Federal Government of Canada: 367,772 employees
Germany – Federal Government of Germany: 500,000 employees
Brazil – Federal Government of Brazil: 570,000 employees
Russia – Russian Railways: 701,200 employees
South Africa – Government of South Africa: 1.2 million employees
France – Ministry of National Education and Youth: over 1.2 million employees
India – Indian Railways: over 1.2 million employees
UK – National Health Service (NHS) England: 1.5 million employees
China – State Grid: over 1.7 million employees
USA – Federal Government of the USA: over 3 million employees
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ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images

Workforce giants, nation by nation

People-packed powerhouses, the leading employers by country are a formidable force, with some boasting jaw-dropping staff numbers that run into the millions.

From the bustling assembly lines of global brands like Volvo and Samsung to the steady pulse of government institutions, these private and public sector titans help shape our world, driving job creation, economic growth, and social development in the process.

Excluding military and defence bodies, read on to discover which organisation has the highest employee headcount in 25 countries around the globe, and find out who the biggest employer in your home nation is. 

All dollar amounts in US dollars.

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Daniel Coughlin

24 January 2025

Features

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