Global Biggest Industries by Employment in 2022

1. Global Consumer Electronics Manufacturing

Employment number for 2022: 17,518,424

Revenue for the Global Consumer Electronics Manufacturing industry is expected to grow at an annualized rate of 1.7% to $1.6 trillion over the five years to 2022, including an increase of 4.6% in 2022 alone. Innovative products, falling prices, growing household incomes and rising consumer sentiment have supported demand for consumer electronics. However, the industry experienced revenue declines in 2020 amid the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, which caused a decline in global electronics consumption due to disruptive effects on global supply chains and economic activity. Nonetheless, rising consumer spending, the release of new products and the global economic recovery over the... Learn More

2. Global Commercial Real Estate

Employment number for 2022: 17,164,710

The Global Commercial Real Estate industry has grown over much of the five years to 2022. However, investor confidence slightly declined over the same period, decreasing an annualized 0.2%. Additionally, the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus) severely constricted demand as economic uncertainty skyrocketed. Particularly, industry revenue declined 7.2% and 4.0% in 2020 and 2021, respectively. As a result, industry revenue is expected to slightly decline an annualized 0.3% to $4.2 trillion over the five years to 2022, despite an anticipated increase of 1.1% in 2022 as the economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

The growth of a country's economy tends to boost... Learn More

3. Global Fast Food Restaurants

Employment number for 2022: 13,458,146

Over the five years to 2022, the Global Fast Food Restaurants industry has expanded despite changing consumer tastes and a recovering global economy. As disposable income rose during the period, consumers increased spending on luxuries, such as eating out, therefore also boosting industry revenue. However, full-service restaurants outperformed fast food establishments during this period, as many consumers had more disposable income. The industry also experienced steady and growing demand from emerging economies, which boosted the industry's overall performance. During this period, the industry has also been forced to adapt to increasingly health-conscious consumer preferences. While major fast food retailers have... Learn More

4. Global HR & Recruitment Services

Employment number for 2022: 11,988,376

The Global HR and Recruitment Services industry relies on an organizations' demand for outsourcing its recruitment processes and human resource management activities. Industry performance largely depends on economic conditions in major markets and the effect these conditions have on demand for labor worldwide. Labor market regulation, particularly relating to temporary employees, is also important to industry performance. While the liberalization of labor laws in developed nations has historically been essential to industry growth, large players have now focused on emerging markets. Industry growth in these regions has expanded as the industry's largest companies expand into developing economies to connect employers... Learn More

5. Global Apparel Manufacturing

Employment number for 2022: 9,675,672

Demand for the Global Apparel Manufacturing industry is highly dependent on disposable income and the overall economic well-being of the region in consideration. Over the past decade, the industry has benefited from an increasing number of consumers opting to buy more garments at lower prices, driving both industry revenue and profit. This trend has been sustained by significant offshoring of apparel manufacturing from industry establishments in developed countries to developing economies, which has significantly lowered production costs, reducing the overall price of apparel and making apparel products increasingly affordable to an expanding consumer base. Consequently, international trade is of paramount... Learn More

6. Global Hotels & Resorts

Employment number for 2022: 9,517,462

Over the five years to 2021, the Global Hotels and Resorts industry is anticipated to experience declining revenue. Initially, strong growth between 2016 and 2019 occurred as both consumers and businesses became more confident about their finances and spent more liberally on luxuries, including travel. This culminated in a substantial increase in both travel rates and hotel room and occupancy rates, two indicators of a hotel's performance. Global tourist arrivals were also steadily increasing between 2016 and 2019 until a drastic drop in 2020 due to the global spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus); in 2020 alone, industry revenue declined 39.0% due... Learn More

7. Global Coal Mining

Employment number for 2022: 8,918,489

Coal mined by the Global Coal Mining industry 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. Industry revenue is a function of global production of industry products alongside global coal prices, with prices being closely tied to global economic conditions. Over the five years to 2022, prices of thermal and coking coal have... Learn More

8. Global Tourism

Employment number for 2022: 8,684,644

The Global Tourism industry is expected to decrease an annualized 4.3% to $1.3 trillion over the five years to 2021. Global tourism has performed well during most of the five-year period, with emerging economies continuing to stimulate growth. Moreover, 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. However, due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, industry revenue is expected to decline nearly 50.0% in 2020. The global outbreak is expected to have an enormous effect on all tourism-related industries as many... Learn More

9. Global Commercial Banks

Employment number for 2022: 8,076,796

The Global Commercial Banks industry has continued recovering as major developed markets experience increasing commercial banking activity as a result of strong economic performance over most of the five years to 2022. The industry closely follows global economic performance since demand for loans is heavily influenced by business and consumer confidence as well as the level of activity that requires financing. The strong global economic performance fueled by the United States and emerging markets, such as China and South East Asia, are expected to improve from increased aggregate private investment, which has supported loan origination. As a result, industry has... Learn More

10. Global Auto Parts & Accessories Manufacturing

Employment number for 2022: 8,060,047

The Global Auto Parts and Accessories Manufacturing industry is expected to decline over the five years to 2021, as automakers, the industry's largest customers, have been hurt by the economic fallout stemming from the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Barring 2020, per capita income levels climbed across the globe and the burgeoning middle classes in emerging economies were able to purchase their own cars. As demand for new automobiles has risen, original equipment manufacturers have demanded more components from industry operators. Additionally, the auto parts aftermarket has helped generate revenue as average vehicle ages increased. Demand for this segment tends to rise... Learn More