The number of billionaires worldwide has risen to a record high.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - The world currently has the highest number of billionaires ever, with 2,919 people, Reuters reported, citing a report from Swiss bank UBS.

According to the latest report from UBS Bank (Switzerland), the number of billionaires this year increased by 287, equivalent to 8.8% compared to 2024. Their total net worth increased by 13%, reaching approximately $15.8 trillion.

Statistics show that around 70% of new billionaires are self-made. In addition, 91 inherited their wealth, including descendants of major pharmaceutical families in Germany. "These heirs are evidence that the process of wealth transfer over many years is becoming increasingly powerful," said UBS CEO Benjamin Cavalli.

UBS estimates that at least $5.9 trillion will be transferred to the children of billionaires over the next 15 years, largely in the US, India, France, Germany, and Switzerland. However, the ultra-wealthy are seeking a better quality of life, and young billionaires have a very high mobility rate, which could change this picture.

The world's billionaires in 2025 (Photo: Forbes).

By country, the US currently has 924 billionaires, accounting for nearly one-third of the world's total. This year, the world's largest economy added 87 self-made billionaires. Among them are Ben Lamm, co-founder of the genetics and bioscience company Colossal, and Michael Dorrell, co-founder and CEO of the infrastructure investment fund Stonepeak.

Reportedly, billionaires have become wealthier partly due to the boom in technology stocks fueled by artificial intelligence (AI). The "Magnificent Seven"—comprising seven US tech companies: Nvidia, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Google, and Tesla—have seen their combined stock prices increase by 25% this year.

This surge has caused the wealth of many tech billionaires to skyrocket, such as Oracle founder Larry Ellison and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Ellison is now the world's second richest person with a net worth of $274 billion, up $104 billion year-to-date. Huang is the ninth richest, with his wealth increasing by $45 billion year-to-date, reaching $159 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/so-luong-ty-phu-the-gioi-tang-len-muc-ky-luc-20251215110428095.htm