Ranking These 7 Family Businesses are Among the Strongest Worldwide

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As the EY Global 500 Family Business Index 2025 shows, the world's top 500 family businesses together generate 8.8 trillion US dollars in revenue. Included in the ranking: seven Austrian companies, two more than in the last index 2023.

Family-run businesses remain a cornerstone of the global economy. The 500 largest family businesses increased their revenue by ten percent compared to the last index in 2023 to 8.8 trillion US dollars. They employ 25.1 million people worldwide in 43 countries. When comparing their cumulative revenue with the world's economies, they would rank as the third-largest economic nation behind the USA and China. These are the findings of the EY Global 500 Family Business Index 2025, which is compiled every two years by EY and the University of St. Gallen (Austria).

Erich Lehner, partner and head of the Family Business division at EY Austria: “Family businesses have an extraordinary ability to adapt to market changes while remaining economically successful. Through their diverse capital sources and strategic M&A decisions, they can seize opportunities and cushion economic downturns.”

Austrian top Family Businesses on a Growth Path

In the global ranking, seven Austrian family businesses are successfully holding their ground—two more than in the 2023 Index. Together, these companies generate over 53 billion US dollars in revenue (+9 percent) and employ more than 212,000 people (+23.65 percent):

1. Spar Holding AG: the largest family-owned company in Austria by revenue

2. Benteler International AG

3. XXX Lutz Group

4. Porr Group

5. Alpla Group

6. Mayr-Melnhof Karton AG

7. Fritz Egger GmbH & Co. OG

Austrian family businesses are not only economically significant but also rich in tradition: On average, the Austrian family businesses in the ranking are 94 years old. "Many family businesses are characterized by family values despite their size and expansion. Entrepreneurial success often takes time, which explains why only one of the seven family businesses in the index is younger than 63 years," said Lehner. "Local family-owned businesses are certainly an important economic driver and thus, seven successful global players 'made in Austria' also enormously enrich Austria as a business location—not least through their expansive business models."

Europe Remains a Leader—Trade Dominates the Sectors

With a share of 47 percent, Europe remains home to most of the top 500 family businesses. In North America, 29 percent of the companies are based, and in Asia, 18 percent. The strongest sector in the index is trade, with a share of 20 percent, followed by consumer goods (19 percent), advanced manufacturing (15 percent), and the mobility sector (9 percent).

In Austria, trade is also the strongest sector: 43.2 percent of the total revenue of Austrian companies comes from trade. 56.8 percent of the employees work in this sector.

Growth Through Acquisitions Despite Uncertain Market Environment

M&A transactions remain a key strategy for family businesses for expansion and capital development: 47 percent of the top 500 family businesses were involved in mergers or acquisitions in the past two years. In 34 percent of the disclosed transactions, the volume exceeded 250 million US dollars.

The ability to plan long-term and respond flexibly to changes gives these companies a decisive advantage. 34 percent of the listed companies have been in existence for over 100 years, and 85 percent for more than 50 years. The oldest company in the index is from Japan and has existed for over four centuries. In Europe, there are two companies with a history of over 300 years.

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