The year 2024 stands as a remarkable milestone for the world’s billionaires, as fortunes have swelled to unprecedented heights despite ongoing global challenges. The billionaire class has grown richer and larger, marking a year that defied economic headwinds, wars, political unrest, and inflationary pressures.
With 2,781 billionaires worldwide, this year breaks previous records set in 2021. Collectively, they are worth a staggering $14.2 trillion, up $2 trillion from 2023 and $1.1 trillion higher than 2021’s record. These impressive figures underscore the resilience of global markets, particularly in technology, retail, and diversified industries.
A Year of Milestones
- 2,781 billionaires globally, an increase of 141 from last year.
- Total net worth: $14.2 trillion, a $2 trillion increase from 2023.
- 813 billionaires in the U.S. alone, worth $5.7 trillion collectively—a record for the country.
- China retains second place with 473 billionaires, though weak consumer spending and a real estate crisis have caused a $300 billion drop in total wealth.
- India now boasts 200 billionaires, ranking third globally and setting its own national record.
Wealth Disparity
While the overall billionaire class prospered, two-thirds of its members saw their wealth grow, while a quarter experienced declines. The top 20 billionaires contributed significantly to the surge, adding a combined $700 billion to their fortunes.
Top 25 Billionaires of 2025
Below is the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals, showcasing their industries and countries of origin:
| Rank | Name | Net Worth ($B) | Last Change ($B) | YTD Change ($B) | Country/Region | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elon Musk | 432 | -9.70 | +203 | United States | Technology |
| 2 | Jeff Bezos | 239 | -1.89 | +61.8 | United States | Technology |
| 3 | Mark Zuckerberg | 207 | -2.02 | +79.2 | United States | Technology |
| 4 | Larry Ellison | 192 | -1.10 | +69.2 | United States | Technology |
| 5 | Bernard Arnault | 176 | +0.688 | -31.2 | France | Consumer |
| 6 | Larry Page | 168 | -1.83 | +41.8 | United States | Technology |
| 7 | Bill Gates | 159 | -1.00 | +18.0 | United States | Technology |
| 8 | Sergey Brin | 158 | -1.70 | +38.3 | United States | Technology |
| 9 | Steve Ballmer | 147 | -1.09 | +15.7 | United States | Technology |
| 10 | Warren Buffett | 142 | +0.466 | +22.2 | United States | Diversified |
| 11 | Michael Dell | 124 | -0.881 | +45.2 | United States | Technology |
| 12 | Jensen Huang | 114 | -5.77 | +70.3 | United States | Technology |
| 13 | Jim Walton | 112 | -0.463 | +39.5 | United States | Retail |
| 14 | Rob Walton | 110 | -0.454 | +38.5 | United States | Retail |
| 15 | Alice Walton | 109 | -0.428 | +39.0 | United States | Retail |
| 16 | Amancio Ortega | 101 | -0.401 | +13.8 | Spain | Retail |
| 17 | Mukesh Ambani | 90.6 | -0.00367 | -5.74 | India | Energy |
| 18 | Carlos Slim | 79.4 | +0.224 | -25.9 | Mexico | Diversified |
| 19 | Gautam Adani | 78.7 | -1.37 | -5.60 | India | Industrial |
| 20 | Francoise Bettencourt Meyers | 74.4 | +0.506 | -25.2 | France | Consumer |
| 21 | Julia Flesher Koch & family | 73.0 | -0.0177 | +6.52 | United States | Industrial |
| 22 | Charles Koch | 65.7 | -0.0292 | +3.30 | United States | Industrial |
| 23 | Zhong Shanshan | 55.0 | -0.119 | -12.8 | China | Diversified |
| 24 | Stephen Schwarzman | 53.4 | +0.0897 | +11.0 | United States | Finance |
| 25 | Changpeng Zhao | 53.3 | -1.72 | +19.0 | Canada | Finance |
Key Trends of 2025
1. Technology Reigns Supreme
The tech industry continues to dominate, with 13 of the top 25 billionaires deriving their wealth from technology. Visionaries like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jensen Huang have pushed the boundaries of AI, renewable energy, and virtual reality, fueling massive wealth gains.
2. Retail and Consumer Growth
The retail sector has also seen a significant surge. The Walton family, with their Walmart empire, and Amancio Ortega of Zara, highlight the ongoing dominance of consumer goods in global markets.
3. Regional Powerhouses
- United States: Home to 813 billionaires, the U.S. leads in wealth creation.
- China: Despite challenges in consumer spending and real estate, it remains a stronghold with 473 billionaires.
- India: A rising star, with 200 billionaires and growing influence in energy and technology.
Conclusion
The Bizmart List 2025 highlights a world of extraordinary wealth and influence, showcasing the resilience of billionaires in an ever-changing global economy. With record-breaking figures in both numbers and net worth, the billionaire class continues to shape industries, economies, and societies. As we look forward, the innovations and investments of today’s billionaires will likely define the future of wealth creation and global prosperity.