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Announcement of Fortune 500 Europe for 2025

Fortune has officially released the 2025 edition of its highly anticipated Fortune 500 Europe rankings, highlighting the continent's most significant and influential companies. Leading the pack is Volkswagen, which has managed to retain its number one position with a revenue of $351 billion. This marks a modest increase of 1% compared to the previous year, further widening the gap between itself and its closest competitor, Shell, which saw an 11% drop in revenue.

In total, the Fortune 500 Europe list showcases a staggering $14.9 trillion in revenue across its represented companies, reflecting a growth of 2.5% year-on-year. This is a testament to the innovation and resilience present within European businesses. Notably, the companies listed together employ approximately 35 million people, an increase of 4% from last year's figures, translating into 1.2 million new jobs created throughout the continent.

Volkswagen's position as the industry leader places it at a strategic advantage, particularly when considering the revenue shifts among its competitors. Meanwhile, the group known as Baloise ranked last at 500th place, posting a revenue of $7 billion. Despite the overall positive revenue growth, companies like Baloise have experienced a decline in profits due to rising costs, which have pressured their margins, reducing their profit-to-sales ratio from 7.1% to 6.6%.

HSBC tops the profit charts with nearly $24 billion in 2024, standing out as one of only four companies achieving profits beyond $15 billion. Furthermore, the representation of women in leadership roles has seen gradual improvements; the number of female CEOs leading the Fortune 500 Europe companies has climbed to 38, a historic high for the ranking. However, women still lead merely 7.6% of these companies, indicating ongoing challenges in achieving gender parity in executive roles.

Among these companies, Engie, at number 37, has taken a notable lead as the only top 50 firm helmed by a woman, Catherine MacGregor.

Top Ten Companies in the 2025 Fortune 500 Europe List

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

The European economy is largely buoyed by the energy, financial services, and automotive sectors. Collectively, Shell, Glencore, TotalEnergies, and BP account for four out of the top five spots, showcasing the entrenched strength of these sectors across the continent. Germany's robust industrial capacity is reflected in the cemented positions of Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW, with the UK also representing a stronghold in the energy industry.

Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of TotalEnergies, expressed pride in his company’s growth trajectory, stating that they are increasing energy production by approximately 4% per year to meet global demand while simultaneously aiming to maintain profitability and reduce emissions.

Grethe Schepers, the director of European listings for Fortune, emphasized that the Fortune 500 Europe list serves as more than just a ranking; it acts as a mirror reflecting the influence and scale of Europe’s leading firms. This third edition affirms the performance of these businesses and celebrates the leadership teams shaping the European economic landscape.

By publishing this third iteration, Fortune not only marks a formal list but also aims to foster a united community of executives across Europe. The entity aims to facilitate connections across this community through journalism, dialogue, and events that further leadership and enhance the European business fabric.

In compiling the Fortune 500 Europe rankings, companies are assessed based on their total revenue for their most recently available fiscal year. All included firms must publicly release financial data, providing transparency and accountability in reporting their figures to regulatory agencies. The figures reflect those disclosed by companies, with year-on-year comparisons based on original reports without any retrospective accounting adjustments. A comprehensive methodology for this ranking is accessible on their website.

About Fortune

Fortune is a global multimedia company rooted in a long-standing tradition of reliable, award-winning journalism tailored for business leaders looking to enhance their operations. Owned by an independent group, Fortune narrates the stories of the world's leading firms and their executives while also highlighting the new generation of innovators reshaping the business landscape. Available in digital and print formats, Fortune rigorously evaluates companies worldwide based on established performance metrics and holds them accountable. Renowned rankings include the Fortune 500, Fortune Global 500, Most Powerful Women, and World's Most Admired Companies. Fortune is committed to creating premier communities by connecting industry thought leaders at exclusive summits and conferences, including the Fortune Global Forum, Brainstorm Tech, and Fortune Most Powerful Women gatherings.