The annual revenues of some corporations are so colossal that they are ahead of the budget of many countries in the world. However, the most profitable and successful companies in the world do not always have a good reputation.
Walmart
American retailer Walmart, with $ 486 billion in revenue in 2017, bypassed the budget of the eurozone's sixth largest economy, Belgium (with a GDP of $ 468 billion). If it were a country, Walmart would have ranked 24th in the world in terms of GDP.
Volkswagen
The revenues of the German automaker Volkswagen exceed Chile's GDP. The company, even after Dieselgate, made $ 276 billion last year. Chile's GDP was $ 250 billion in 2016 and is considered by many to be the most stable state in South America, ahead of other countries such as Argentina, Brazil and Colombia. Volkswagen would be number 43 in the world if its income represented its GDP.
Apple
American tech giant Apple would be 47th in the world in terms of GDP if it were a country. The company, which has been accused of mistreating and underpaying its employees by hiding money offshore and not paying taxes, made $ 229 billion last year. For comparison, Portugal's GDP in 2016 was $ 205 billion.
Amazon
Online retailer Amazon, which is close to surpassing Apple as the most valuable company in the world, earned nearly $ 118 billion in 2017. Its revenues exceeded Kuwait's GDP ($ 111 billion). Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos recently became the richest man in modern history, with wealth exceeding $ 150 billion this month.
Alphabet
Google's parent company, Alphabet, made more money last year than Puerto Rico, which has a GDP of $ 105 billion. Alphabet had revenues of $ 111 billion in 2017. Based on its revenues, the company would be 59th in the world in terms of GDP if it were a country.
Experts say globalization is largely responsible for allowing companies to grow to this size. However, more does not always mean better.
Statistics show that over the past 50 years, executive salaries have increased, widening the gap between them and their employees. Today, these "fat cats" can earn the typical employee's annual salary by lunchtime. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon's salary rose two percent in 2017 to $ 22.8 million. Meanwhile, the company's average employee earned $ 19,177 in the same period.
