5 Most Profitable Industries in the World in 2021

In this article we discuss the 5 most profitable industries in the world in 2021. If you want to read our detailed analysis of these industries, go directly to the 15 Most Profitable Industries in the World in 2021.

5. Household Products 

Yes, household products may come cheap, but they come from an industry that belongs to one of the 15 most profitable industries in the world in 2021. Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE: CL), The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG), and L’Oréal S.A. (EPA: OR) are just a few of the many companies that contribute to the net profits and investment returns of the household products industry. For the year 2021, the household products industry has a net income of $40.6 billion and a capital return rate of 24.60%, which is quite decent. The gross profit stands strong at $239.6 billion.

4. Oil and Gas Industry 

Though this is not an eco-friendly industry, it still earns more profits than many industries that care relatively more about the environment. Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX), Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM), and Shell (AMS: RDSA) are the names known to many, and these companies contribute to the oil and gas (integrated) industry’s net income of $31.3 billion and the highest gross profit seen in this list that values at $833 billion. Conversely, the return on capital investment is the lowest seen in the list, at 4.64%.

3. Drugs and Pharmaceuticals 

The drug industry is notorious for high-priced products. If you look at some of your prescriptions (if you have any), you will realize how much money you are handing to this industry, which is making billions in profits, $95.8 billion to be exact. It is not surprising to see this industry in the top three of our list of the 15 most profitable industries in the world in 2021. The drugs and pharmaceuticals industry has attained a gross profit of $643.2 billion and a 17.06% return on capital.

2. Computer Peripherals 

Now that working from home has become common practice for everyone, computers and their accessories have become more of a necessity than a luxury. This will go on until coronavirus does not leave us all alone. The computer peripherals industry is a growing industry, accumulating more and more profits as time passes. The net income for this industry currently rests at $96.4 billion with a 19.92% return on capital. The gross profit for the peripherals industry stands at $345.8 billion.  Some of the renowned companies in this industry are Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT), Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE: HPQ), and Acer Inc. (TPE: 2353).

1. Software (System and Application) 

As promised, here comes the other software industry at the top of our list of the 15 most profitable industries in the world in 2021. The industry gave us Microsoft’s Windows and Apple’s Macintosh operating systems. The industry made our lives easier by giving us applications for writing documents, surfing the internet, and attending meetings virtually. Microsoft is possibly the most famous company associated with the software systems and applications industry. This industry will continue to dominate with a net income of $81.3 billion and capital returns of 32.07%. The gross profit for the application software industry stands strong at $339.9 billion. The need for new software applications is ever-growing, as we humans want easier lives. Without these software applications, all electronic devices would be as good as rocks or overpriced paperweights.

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