The billionaire population continues to grow, with a record 2,781 members on Forbes’ 2024 World’s Billionaires list from 78 countries or territories. France’s Bernard Arnault remains the richest citizen, with a net worth of $233 billion from his conglomerate LVMH. The United States boasts the most billionaires overall, with Elon Musk topping the list at $195 billion, while China and India follow with significant billionaire populations.
Luxembourg has joined the list with newcomer Michael Gans, who accumulated his $1.1 billion fortune through Supreme Group, a logistics firm. Gans, with dual Luxembourg and U.S. citizenship, also owns commercial real estate in various cities. New billionaires have emerged in Croatia and Uruguay this year, while Peru and Macau have dropped off the list.
The Asia-Pacific region has the highest number of billionaire citizens, followed by the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East & Africa. Each country’s wealthiest individual is highlighted, showcasing a diverse range of sources of wealth, from mining and e-commerce to luxury goods and pharma. Notable billionaires include Carlos Slim Helu in Mexico, Aliko Dangote in Nigeria, and Amancio Ortega in Spain.
The billionaires represent a wide range of industries and regions, with a mix of established players and newcomers. The list showcases the global nature of wealth creation and distribution, with individuals from all corners of the world making their mark. As the billionaire population continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how new industries and regions play a role in shaping the future of wealth around the globe.
