European Corporate Giants Unveiled in Fortune 500 List for 2025

Fortune 500 Europe List for 2025

On October 29, 2025, Fortune published its much-anticipated Fortune 500 Europe list, showcasing the top companies driving the continent’s economy. Volkswagen takes the top spot once again, reporting an impressive revenue increase of 1%, which has further widened its lead over Shell, whose revenues have unfortunately declined by 11%.

The collective revenue generated by Europe’s corporate giants amounts to $14.9 trillion, marking a 2.5% rise from the previous year. These firms employ an impressive 35 million people, representing a growth of 4% or 1.2 million new jobs compared to last year. Volkswagen stands out with a remarkable revenue of $351 billion, while the Bâloise Group rounds out the list at position 500, with revenues of $7 billion.

However, despite the growth in revenue, profits have taken a hit, dropping by 5% as escalating costs have put pressure on margins, causing the profit-to-sales ratio to decrease from 7.1% to 6.6%. HSBC emerges as the most profitable firm on the list, with nearly $24 billion in profits for 2024, being one of only four companies to surpass the $15 billion profit mark.

The representation of women in leadership within these top companies also saw positive changes, with the number of female CEOs reaching a record 38. Revenue generated by women-led firms increased by 12%, totaling $924 billion. Despite this, only 7.6% of the companies in the list are headed by women, with four firms announcing a planned transition to male leadership in the near future. Notably, Engie at rank #37 is the only female-led company among the top 50.

The Fortune 500 Europe Top 10:

1. Volkswagen (Germany)
2. Shell (UK)
3. Glencore (Switzerland)
4. TotalEnergies (France)
5. BP (UK)
6. Stellantis (Netherlands)
7. Mercedes-Benz Group (Germany)
8. BMW Group (Germany)
9. BNP Paribas (France)
10. Banco Santander (Spain)

The report highlights how essential sectors such as energy, finance, and automotive manufacturing play a crucial role in Europe's economy. Companies like Shell, Glencore, TotalEnergies, and BP occupy four of the top five positions, underlining the significant influence of the energy sector. Germany's automotive might is exemplified by the presence of Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW in the top ten.

Insights from Industry Leaders

Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, expressed pride in the company's consistent growth of energy production at about 4% annually to meet global demands while also focusing on emission reductions.

Grethe Schepers, the Lists Director for Europe at Fortune, articulated that the Fortune 500 Europe is more than just a ranking system; it reflects the scale and influence of Europe's top companies. She emphasized that the list serves as a benchmark for corporate performance and a celebration of the visionary leadership molding Europe’s business landscape.

With the release of this third edition, Fortune not only showcases this definitive list but also actively fosters a connected community of influential executives. The publication’s mission includes promoting dialogue, advancing leadership, and strengthening the fabric of European business through various events and initiatives.

The methodology for ranking is based on total revenues from the latest fiscal years available. Companies must disclose their financial data, with comparisons focusing on the prior year's published figures. The full methodology is accessible on Fortune’s official site.

About Fortune

Founded on a legacy of trusted journalism and reporting, Fortune is a global media company dedicated to providing insights into the world’s largest corporations and innovative leaders. Its prestigious rankings such as the Fortune 500 and the Fortune Global 500 are widely recognized as benchmarks of corporate performance worldwide.

For more details about this year’s rankings and the methodology involved, visit fortune.com.