Billionaire, the term is familiar with almost everybody on this planet and there would hardly be anyone who wouldn’t want to associate him or her with the term. Even when today the world economy is going through a low phase with a volatile market in terms of equity, currency and commodity, the billionaire club of the world stands their ground with heads high and has seen a steady growth in its wealth. These people really know how to roll in some cash, thus rules the economy of the countries they reside in. Almost every country in the world has them, but some countries are fortunate enough to have a cluster of them, which really affects the economic condition of that particular country. Here, take a look at the top 10 countries with the most billionaires.
10. Canada:
This beautiful country is home to around 40 billionaires and a population mega rich making it secure the eighth spot as far as the ultra rich countries in the world are concerned. The net worth of the billionaires in the country is $105 billion, although in saw a steady downfall of the wealth during the economic headwind.
Billionaire count:
40
Net worth:
$105 billion
9. Brazil:
This is the only country in the Latin American belt to make it to the top ten lists of the countries sheltering the maximum number of billionaires. With the ultra rich population comprising of 4,640 people worth more than $30 million, it is home to around 49 billionaires who has a great impact on the economy of the country. Each of them is worth $6.1 billion and collectively they account for $300 billion.
Billionaire count:
49
Net worth:
$300 billion
8. Switzerland:
Known as the home of the wealth of the richest in all over the world and their playground, Switzerland has secured the eighth spot on the countdown of the top ten countries for billionaires. It is the dwelling ground for the ultra wealthy and the home of a total of 57 billionaires who account for a total wealth of $125 billion. When the world of the ultra rich in Europe was going down, Switzerland has seen a steady growth of 7% of the ultra rich population. The 15% growth in the equity market of Switzerland has mainly contributed to the growth the richest in the country which keeps getting better and better despite the 24% decline in the Swiss franc.
Billionaire count:
57
Net worth:
$125
7. Hong Kong:
Hong Kong, being considered one of Asia’s prime economic centers, the city has given shelter to some of ultra richest people in the world that account of a whooping 64 billionaires in total. The group has the biggest impact on the economy of the country with a combined wealth of $190 billion. The country is the home of the richest man in all over Asia, Li Ka-shing who also has the honor of being the ninth richest person in the world. But the falling economy of the world didn’t spare him as well and he saw a decline, which accounted for $3 billion. However, the reason for the prosperity of the richest in Hong Kong lies in the real estate market, which keeps thriving.
Billionaire count:
64
Net worth:
$190
6. Russia:
Coming next to India is Russia, with a billionaire count of 97 collectively worth a staggering $380 billion. Although the country has seen the biggest economic fallout during the harsh economic times of the previous years, the number of billionaires in the country grew by 17 as compared to last year. However, the title of Billionaire’s Capital was taken from Moscow as it used to be called till last year due to the economic fallout.
Billionaire count:
97
Net worth:
$380
5. India:
As for Asian countries, India comes right next to China, when it comes to scoring in the number of billionaires and has aptly secured the fifth position on the list of top ten countries comprising of maximum number of billionaires. There are a whopping 109 billionaires in the country worth of a total of $190 billion, which comes down to $1.7 billion each on average. However, Indian billionaires have seen a steady 7% drop in their wealth in the year 2012 and the number dropped by 5%. The main reason behind the drop was the volatile Stock market of India and the drop in the value of Indian currency. Nevertheless, the country is fight to rise up to from the hard economic times and hopefully will emerge as a winner in the coming years ahead
Billionaire count:
109
Net worth:
$190
4. Germany:
If you talk about the euro zone nations, then Germany is the only one making it to the list of TOP ten countries with most billionaires, when most of the bloc’s countries are going through a steady declination of wealth. The total number of billionaires in the country is around 137 and collectively they are worth a total of $550 billion, which comes down to an average of $4 billion each. The ultra rich in the country are accounted for less than 1 percent of the total population of the country and the people having $30 million worth of net asset is counted amongst them. As for the cities, Munich, Dusseldorf as well as Hamburg have the biggest cluster of billionaires. Although the equity market and the drop in the foreign exchange value of Euro during 2011 and 2012 have shaken up the richest in Germany a little, but all in all the total wealth climbed up to 5.3% although the number of billionaires in the country dropped by 1.4 percent.
Billionaire count:
137
Net worth:
$550
3. United Kingdom:
When it comes to wealth, how can the land of Kings and Queen stay far behind? Yes, in terms of the number of billionaires in a country UK has secured a third spot on the chart. In all over Europe, UK alone has the largest concentration of the billionaires, but on the flip side Germany has outpaced the country in terms of the combined wealth of the group of ultra rich and the figure by which UK falls behind Germany in total wealth is a whopping $120 billion. In UK alone, the billionaires account of an astounding 1.3% of the total population and if you look into an average figure comprising of their total wealth, each of these big fishes are worth $3.1 billion and the wealth grew by almost 4% in the year 2011 alone. This growth is simply due to the foreign investment into the real estate market of UK, which has always been the biggest beneficiary of the mega rich of UK.
Billionaire count:
140
Net worth:
$430
2. China:
China holds the second position in the world as far as the number of billionaires is concerned. However, if you look into the total wealth China falls behind Germany and UK and comes in the fourth spot, tying with Russia. The billionaires in the country are worth 2.5 billion each on an average and the top five cities comprising of Beijing, Guangzhou Shanghai, Hangzhou and Shenzhen have the biggest concentration of the mega rich. However, at the time of recession, the ultra rich of China have seen a sheer drop of 1/3 of their total wealth. The main reason behind it was the volatile equity market and the Shanghai Composite Index that have seen a drop of 20%. Although the country is fighting to overcome the economic damage and will soon see the golden days return.
Billionaire count:
147
Net worth:
$380 billion
1. United States of America:
When it comes to the mega-rich, there would hardly be any country that can beat the U.S. The number of mega rich in the country is a whopping 480, which certainly gives China, its closest competitor a run for their money. Even when the whole world was going through an economic headwind, U.S added 25 more billionaires to the list. If you look into their wealth, on an average each of them is worth $4.3 billion. As far as the states are concerned, California is the home for the ultra rich, followed by New York, Florida, Texas and the list goes on. The main source of wealth of these big fishes in the economic pond was the equity market of the U.S and they will continue growing in the future.
Billionaire count:
480
Net worth:
$2.05 trillion
