Research company IBISWorld has selected the top ten most profitable industries globally in 2025 based on estimated revenue and analyzed the driving forces behind the development of these industries, as well as their significant implications in the global market trends.
Due to the increasing demand for insurance products globally, the industry saw growth in the five years leading up to 2024. Not only is the insurance industry a vital component of the world’s financial activities, but it also plays a crucial role in the daily lives of billions of people. Its substantial revenue sources benefit from the essential nature of its services. Life and health insurance companies provide a safety net crucial for individual and family financial planning.
With the exacerbation of global aging population, the role of life and health insurance industry is becoming increasingly important. While the industry offers necessary products and services, operators are vulnerable to macroeconomic impacts. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the industry revenue over the five-year period leading up to 2024 was 0.6%. IBISWorld predicts that the global revenue of the life and health insurance industry will reach $55 trillion in 2025. (Read more about the industry’s detailed market research report, click here.)
Despite the slowing demand in mature economies like North America and Europe, strong demand growth in developing economies such as BRICS and ASEAN is driving the revenue growth of global automotive dealers. Developed economies mainly focus on the sale of high-end vehicles, while emerging markets prioritize overall sales volume. The transition of consumers to SUVs and crossover vehicles with more safety and entertainment features has fueled industry growth. The adoption rate of these vehicle types has surged, creating abundant growth opportunities in developing economies.
However, the upward trend in interest rates in most major markets and fluctuations in global consumer sentiment have somewhat constrained post-pandemic growth. The industry’s compound annual growth rate in revenue over the five years leading up to 2024 was 0.7%. IBISWorld predicts that the global revenue of the automotive sales industry will reach $44 trillion in 2025. (Read more about the industry’s detailed market research report, click here.)
The global commercial real estate industry is one of the giants in the world economy, with IBISWorld projecting its revenue to reach $43 trillion in 2025. Over the five years leading up to 2024, the industry saw a compound annual growth rate of 3.3% in revenue. The commercial real estate industry encompasses a variety of properties, including office spaces, industrial warehouses, retail locations, and multi-unit residential buildings, each contributing significantly to the industry’s vast economic footprint.
Despite facing challenges in recent years, the global commercial real estate industry has demonstrated remarkable adaptability. The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented disruption to the industry, leading to a shrink in demand and investor confidence. However, as the world economy gradually emerges from the pandemic’s impact, the industry is showing signs of recovery, with an expected growth in revenue. This recovery is crucial as it signifies the restoration of investor confidence and growth in the industry. (Read more about the industry’s detailed market research report, click here.)
Retirement funds have long been a primary means of meeting the retirement needs of the global aging population. Industry revenue includes contributions, investment returns, and net sales of securities. The industry’s significant growth can be attributed to two factors: firstly, the shifting demographic towards an aging population has increased the demand for reliable retirement plans, driving contributions to pension funds; secondly, despite market volatility at times, the long-term investment strategies typically adopted by retirement funds have brought about robust long-term growth.
Today, more and more employers are shifting the responsibility of retirement benefits to employees, requiring them to contribute to retirement accounts. To incentivize contributions, governments are utilizing tax incentives to encourage individuals to save for retirement and, in some cases, transitioning to mandatory systems. With the increase in global per capita income, employees are also able to allocate more funds towards their retirement plans, driving the growth of the global retirement funds industry’s revenue. Furthermore, with rising interest rates, the industry is expected to allocate more assets to bonds, potentially reducing revenue volatility.
Over the past five years, the compound annual growth rate of the global retirement funds industry’s revenue was 0.5%, with the total revenue expected to reach $43 trillion in 2025. (Read more about the industry’s detailed market research report, click here.)
Global oil and gas production companies have experienced significant turbulence in recent years. The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns severely disrupted production, leading to a double-digit decline in industry revenue, with the industry’s largest market – the transport sector – also being constrained. As the economy reopened after the pandemic, the situation quickly reversed, resulting in price surges. High prices, coupled with expanding production, led to a sharp increase in industry revenue. Although prices eventually receded, they remained high. Additionally, with reduced procurement costs, profits also saw significant growth. Over the past five years, the industry saw a compound annual growth rate of 6.0% in revenue, with the total revenue expected to reach $42 trillion in 2025. (Read more about the industry’s detailed market research report, click here.)
Over the past decade, global automakers have faced various challenges, including significant external impacts, changing consumer preferences, and supply chain disruptions. However, notable technological improvements – particularly in hybrid and electric vehicles – enhancements in internal combustion engine fuel efficiency, information entertainment systems, and advancements in autonomous driving technology, combined with an increase in disposable income per capita, have stimulated the continuously growing demand from the global middle class. Furthermore, post-pandemic, robust economic recovery in most developed and emerging countries has also boosted the registration of automobiles. The compound annual growth rate of revenue in the global automotive manufacturing industry over the past five years was 1.0%, with the total revenue expected to reach $29 trillion in 2025. (Read more about the industry’s detailed market research report, click here.)
The industry covers a wide range of insurance services, directly providing the public with insurance products that cover various risks related to health, property, vehicles, and liability. The fundamental nature of these services ensures stable demand, resulting in significant revenue. Despite facing challenges such as economic fluctuations, regulatory changes, and technological disruptions in recent years, the global general insurance industry has shown resilience and recovery. As emphasized in a report by Deloitte Insights, the industry successfully navigated these challenges by embracing digital transformation, streamlining operational processes, enhancing customer engagement, and adapting to the changing landscape.
Furthermore, the industry is committed to innovation, developing new products to address emerging risks such as cybersecurity threats and climate change-related responsibilities. This forward-thinking approach is crucial for maintaining relevance and competitiveness in an evolving market. Strategic expansion into emerging markets has also played a vital role in sustaining growth. With the rise of the middle class in countries like China and India, there has been a surge in demand for insurance products, providing much-needed impetus to industry revenue.
Over the five years leading up to 2024, the global general insurance industry saw a compound annual growth rate of 1.1% in revenue. IBISWorld predicts its revenue to reach $29 trillion in 2025. (Read more about the industry’s detailed market research report, click here.)
The global automotive parts and accessories industry produces various essential devices for automobile manufacturers and aftermarket markets, ranging from braking and electronic systems to safety airbags and alternators. Over the past five years, the industry has faced various challenges, including a decrease in the compound annual growth rate of revenue. This downward trend became particularly evident in 2023, with the market experiencing stagnation. Despite these challenges, the industry’s resilience is noteworthy, especially considering the increasing average age of vehicles on the roads.
As more consumers hold onto vehicles for longer periods and vehicles age, the demand for replacement parts and accessories has surged to ensure performance and safety. Additionally, the increasing number of people globally opting for driving has also propelled the industry’s development. The compound annual growth rate of revenue in the global automotive parts manufacturing industry over the past five years was 2.2%, with the total revenue expected to reach $27 trillion in 2025. (Read more about the industry’s detailed market research report, click here.)
With the increase in mobile data usage, there is a growing demand for global wireless communication operators, supporting the growth of the industry. As more consumers communicate, entertain, conduct business, and perform administrative work online through various platforms, wireless communication operators have capitalized on this trend. The industry also benefits from the rapid development of mobile device functionalities and the proliferation of smartphones. Over the five years leading up to 2024, the industry saw a compound annual growth rate of 3.0% in revenue, with the total revenue expected to reach $20 trillion in 2025. (Read more about the industry’s detailed market research report, click here.)
With the global market recovery, the Engineering Services industry is also witnessing continuous growth, with new investments driving project development in major markets such as the United States, Europe, and East Asia. The economic environment enables downstream industries to invest in enterprises involving engineering services, and the increase in production levels in OECD member countries also promotes the construction of new facilities, factories, and other structures. Despite persistent inflation pressures, public sector investments have kept infrastructure project spending steady, requiring expertise in engineering services. The industry’s revenue grew at a compound annual growth rate of 5.3% over the past five years, with the total revenue expected to reach $20 trillion in 2025. (Read more about the industry’s detailed market research report, click here.)