Forbes list shows surge in billionaires
The number of billionaires worldwide rose to a record 3,428 this year, with a combined wealth of $20.1 trillion, according to the 40th annual Forbes Billionaires List.
The list shows that growing investments in artificial intelligence, volatile financial markets, and supportive fiscal policies helped drive an increase in wealth creation, adding around 400 new individuals to the list compared to last year.
While the number of billionaires increased, their combined wealth also grew significantly, rising by $4 trillion year-on-year to a record $20.1 trillion, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.
The report revealed that 20 people now possess fortunes of at least $100 billion, highlighting the increasing concentration of wealth among the world’s richest individuals.
American entrepreneur Elon Musk, owner of Tesla, SpaceX, X (social media platform), and xAI, held the top spot for the second consecutive year with an estimated net worth of $839 billion, making him the richest person ever recorded.
Musk’s wealth increased by about half a trillion dollars last year, mainly driven by the rising valuation of Tesla and the anticipated public listing of SpaceX in 2026. His fortune makes him the first individual to surpass the $800 billion mark, potentially putting him on track to become the world’s first trillionaire.
Larry Page, co-founder of Google, ranked second with about $257 billion, followed by Google co-founder Sergey Brin with $237 billion.
Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, ranked fourth with $224 billion, while Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms, placed fifth with $222 billion.
Trump’s wealth increases
The wealth of Donald Trump, President of the United States, increased by 27%, mainly due to gains linked to cryptocurrency ventures and the removal of penalties in a previously filed fraud case.
Trump’s estimated net worth rose to $6.5 billion, placing him 645th on the list.
The ranking also included several high-profile figures from entertainment and sports, including musician and entrepreneur Dr. Dre, singer Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, and tennis legend Roger Federer.
US leads in number of billionaires
The United States remained home to the largest number of billionaires, with 989, including 15 of the top 20 on the list. Their combined wealth reached $8.4 trillion.
China, including Hong Kong, followed with 610 billionaires, while India ranked third with 229.
