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Global Pension Funds Industry Data and Analysis
Pension funds, composed of defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) plans, are the primary means for meeting the retirement requirements of an aging global population. Industry revenue consists of contributions, investment income, net sales of securities and more. Positive investment returns from equities have driven the growth of revenue despite volatility in financial markets throughout the period stemming from fluctuating interest rates worldwide. For example, the significant hike in interest rates amid the current period increased interest income from fixed-income securities, supporting revenue growth. The recent rate cuts in the latter part of the period in many countries around the world will likely shift funds back into equities and out of fixed-income assets such as bonds. Overall, global pension funds revenue increased at a CAGR of 3.1% to $5,214.0 billion over the past five years, including an expected increase of 4.1% in 2026 alone. Industry profit also climbed and will comprise 49.1% of revenue in the current year.
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What's included in this industry analysis
IBISWorld's research coverage on the Global Pension Funds industry includes market sizing, forecasting, data and analysis from 2016-2031. The most recent publication was released February 2026.
About this industry
What's this industry report about?
The Global Pension Funds industry operates under the industry code J5614-GL. The Global Pension Funds industry comprises funds that are organized to provide retirement income benefits exclusively for the sponsor's employees or members. Plans are based on defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Revenue in this industry refers to total contributions plus net investment income or losses, while establishments refer to the number of funds. Fees from portfolio management or other third-party services are not included in this report. Related terms covered in the Global Pension Funds industry include defined benefit (db) plan, defined contribution (dc) plan, pension plan sponsor and pension fund service provider.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in Global Pension Funds industry include Private defined benefit plans, Public defined benefit plans and Defined contribution plans.
What companies are included in this industry?
The Global Pension Funds industry is highly fragmented with no companies holding a market share greater than 5%.
Performance
What's included in the Performance chapter?
The Performance chapter covers detailed analysis, datasets, detailed current performance, sources of volatility and an outlook with forecasts for the Global Pension Funds industry.
Questions answered in this chapter include what's driving current industry performance, what influences industry volatility, how do successful businesses overcome volatility, what's driving the industry outlook. This analysis is supported with data and statistics on industry revenues, costs, profits, businesses and employees.
Products & Markets
What's included in the Products and Markets chapter?
The Products and Markets chapter covers detailed products and service segmentation and analysis of major markets for the for the Global Pension Funds industry.
Questions answered in this chapter include how are the industry's products and services performing, what are innovations in industry products and services, what products or services do successful businesses offer and what's influencing demand from the industry's markets. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by product and service segmentation and major markets.
Geographic Breakdown
What's included in the Geographic Breakdown chapter?
The Geographic Breakdown chapter covers detailed analysis and datasets on regional performance of the Global Pension Funds industry.
Questions answered in this chapter include where are industry businesses located and how do businesses use location to their advantage. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by location.
Competitive Forces
What's included in the Competitive Forces chapter?
The Competitive Forces chapter covers the concentration, barriers to entry and supplier and buyer profiles in the Global Pension Funds industry. This includes data and statistics on industry market share concentration, barriers to entry, substitute products and buyer & supplier power.
Questions answered in this chapter include what impacts the industry's market share concentration, how do successful businesses handle concentration, what challenges do potential industry entrants face, how can potential entrants overcome barriers to entry, what are substitutes for industry services, how do successful businesses compete with substitutes and what power do buyers and suppliers have over the industry and how do successful businesses manage buyer & supplier power.
Companies
What's included in the Companies chapter?
The Companies chapter covers Key Takeaways, Market Share and Companies in the Global Pension Funds industry. This includes data and analysis on companies operating in the industry that hold a market share greater than 5%.
Questions answered in this chapter include what companies have a meaningful market share and how each company is performing.
External Environment
What's included in the External Environment chapter?
The External Environment chapter covers Key Takeaways, External Drivers, Regulation & Policy and Assistance in the Global Pension Funds industry. This includes data and statistics on factors impacting industry revenue such as economic indicators, regulation, policy and assistance programs.
Questions answered in this chapter include what demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the industry, what regulations impact the industry, what assistance is available to this industry.
Financial Benchmarks
What's included in the Financial Benchmarks chapter?
The Financial Benchmarks chapter covers Key Takeaways, Cost Structure, Financial Ratios, Valuation Multiples and Key Ratios in the Global Pension Funds industry. This includes financial data and statistics on industry performance including key cost inputs, profitability, key financial ratios and enterprise value multiples.
Questions answered in this chapter include what trends impact industry costs and how financial ratios have changed overtime.
Industry Data
What's included in the Industry Data chapter?
The Industry Data chapter includes 10 years of historical data with 5 years of forecast data covering statistics like revenue, industry value add, establishments, enterprises, employment and wages in the Global Pension Funds industry.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the market size of the Global Pension Funds industry in 2026?
The market size of the Global Pension Funds industry is $5.2tr in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Global Pension Funds industry in 2026?
There are 228k businesses in the Global Pension Funds industry, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.4 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Global Pension Funds industry?
The Global Pension Funds industry is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Global Pension Funds industry?
The Global Pension Funds industry is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Global Pension Funds industry grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Global Pension Funds industry has been growing at a CAGR of 3.1 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Global Pension Funds industry over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Global Pension Funds industry is expected to grow.
What does the Global Pension Funds industry include?
Providing defined benefit plans to beneficiaries and Collecting employer and employee contributions are part of the Global Pension Funds industry.
How competitive is the Global Pension Funds industry?
The level of competition is low and increasing in the Global Pension Funds industry.
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