The world’s billionaire population has reached a record high of 2,781 individuals, with a combined wealth of $14.2 trillion. This represents an increase of 141 billionaires from the previous year, with the super-rich becoming even wealthier. The top 14 billionaires are members of the $100 Billion Club, collectively holding $2 trillion, highlighting the concentration of wealth at the very top.
Leading the pack is Bernard Arnault, with a net worth of $233 billion, followed by Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. Tech moguls like Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Ellison have also seen significant increases in their wealth, driven by factors such as the booming AI industry. Zuckerberg’s wealth, for example, has seen a $116.2 billion jump in a single year.
Newcomers to the billionaires list include celebrities like Taylor Swift, TV producer Dick Wolf, and NBA hall-of-famer Magic Johnson. The list also features 265 fresh faces, with Italy’s Andrea Pignataro and restaurant chain founder Todd Graves among the new entrants. The United States continues to dominate in terms of billionaire population, followed by China and India.
Women still make up a small percentage of the billionaire population, accounting for only 13% of total billionaires. Notable women on the list include Françoise Bettencourt Meyers and Rafaela Aponte-Diamant. The list also highlights the growing number of self-made billionaires, with nearly all cryptocurrency billionaires making their fortunes through their own efforts.
While the average age of a billionaire is 66, there are some younger members on the list, including 19-year-old Livia Voigt. However, bankruptcy, scandals, and stock crashes have led to the removal of 189 individuals from the list. The list also notes the passing of 32 individuals, including former President of Chile Sebastián Piñera and investor Charlie Munger.
Forbes’ World’s Billionaires list is a comprehensive ranking of individuals with a net worth of $1 billion or more, based on extensive research and analysis. The list takes into account various assets, debts, and charitable giving, with a focus on individuals who have accumulated their wealth through their own efforts.
