Infographics: The World’s Biggest Employers

Given the size of their populations, many people generally assume that the world’s largest employers are Chinese or Indian.

However, according to research published by the World Economic Forum, the US Department of Defense boasts a workforce of 3.2 million people, making it the largest global employer. The Chinese military, the People’s Liberation Army, is in second position with a force of 2.3 million.

Walmart and McDonald’s come third and fourth with 2.1 and 1.9 million employees respectively (the number for McDonald’s includes franchises).

England’s National Health Service (NHS) makes a surprising appearance in fifth place with a 1.7 million strong workforce – more than Indian Railways or the Indian armed forces.

Source: Forbes