In a year marked by AI disruption, geopolitical uncertainty and cost-of-living pressures, one indicator remains remarkably clear: talent will still go where it is valued. Forbes’ 2025 list of the World’s Best Employers, produced in partnership with market research firm Statista, offers a global snapshot of which companies are succeeding in turning that principle into reality.
The 2025 edition recognizes 900 leading employers worldwide, selected from thousands of multinational companies. To build the ranking, Statista gathered feedback from more than 300,000 employees across over 50 countries, generating several million individual evaluations. Respondents rated their own employer and other well-known companies in their industry, focusing on key aspects such as willingness to recommend, working conditions, career development, pay, diversity and social responsibility. The data was collected independently via online access panels, and the most recent feedback was given extra weight to ensure that the ranking reflects employees’ current experiences.
At the top of the 2025 list is Microsoft, followed by Delta Air Lines, Alphabet (Google’s parent company), Adobe and BMW Group. These names span technology, aviation, software and manufacturing, showing that great workplaces are not confined to a single sector. Further down the list, global leaders such as Nvidia, Sony, IBM, Apple and Lego also appear, reflecting strong performance on dimensions such as opportunity, fairness, inclusion and purpose-driven culture.
What distinguishes the Forbes and Statista approach is its employee-centric lens. Rather than relying primarily on corporate disclosures or HR policies, the ranking is built on anonymous evaluations from people who actually work for or closely observe these companies. Employees are asked how likely they are to recommend their own employer to friends and family, and they can also rate other firms they know through industry networks, colleagues and family members. This combination of direct and indirect scores produces a more nuanced view of employer reputation and everyday workplace reality.
For employers, inclusion in the World’s Best Employers ranking has become a strategic asset. In a tight global talent market, where skilled workers can increasingly choose between geographies, sectors and hybrid work models, external validation helps companies stand out. The list also reinforces a broader shift: competitive pay and job security remain essential, but they are no longer sufficient on their own. Workers are paying closer attention to leadership behavior, flexibility, mental health support, continuous learning opportunities and whether a company’s stated values are visible in daily practice.
For investors and analysts, the ranking complements traditional financial metrics by highlighting what can be called people capital, the ability to attract, retain and engage talent. Many of the top-ranked employers also appear in other global benchmarks for innovation, sustainability and brand strength, suggesting a reinforcing loop between employee experience, innovation capability and long-term corporate performance.
For Asia-based companies and multinationals expanding in the region, the message is clear: employer reputation is now a competitive advantage in its own right. As more organizations in Asia-Pacific appear on global employer lists produced by Forbes, the Financial Times and other partners of Statista, the region is emerging not only as a growth engine but also as a laboratory for new models of employee engagement and inclusive leadership.
For BRG’s ongoing research on corporate responsibility and sustainable growth, the 2025 World’s Best Employers ranking provides a rich reference point. It illustrates how companies that invest in people, through fair pay, safe and inclusive workplaces, opportunities to grow and meaningful work, are better positioned to navigate technological, social and environmental change.
Readers who wish to explore the full list of 900 companies and examine the results by country or industry can access the ranking directly on Forbes’ website:
Forbes – World’s Best Employers 2025
