Local market knowledge can help employers to offer attractive and competitive benefits packages to recruit and retain employees.

Many multinational employers are seeking more control over their global benefits, according to Aon Hewitt’s 2012 Corporate governance of employee benefits study, published in October, and 88% list employee benefits on their board and senior management agendas.

A one-size-fits-all approach to reward may work in one country, particularly for core benefits, such as healthcare and pensions.

But benefits professionals must understand and cater for the specific needs of staff in other countries, bearing in mind local state benefits.

Employee Benefits has compiled key facts for the world’s top 10 countries, based on gross domestic product (GDP) rankings from the World Development Indicators database, published in September 2012.

See a PDF version of benefits on offer by the world’s 10 largest countries