Wealth-X's Billionaire Census 2020 report reveals insights and trends about the world's top billionaires
According to Wealth-X's Billionaire Census 2020 report, which was released on June 30, the size of the global billionaire population increased strongly in 2019, with North America and Asia seeing the strongest growth in billionaire numbers and collective net worth.
Rising by 8.5% to 2,825 individuals, this increase has more than reversed the previous year’s decline, reaching an all-time high. The combined wealth of the world’s billionaires outpaced the population’s growth in 2019, rising by 10.3% to $9.4 trillion.
While prior editions of the Billionaire Census showcased only data from the previous year, the seventh edition of the report also includes key intelligence from the first months of 2020 to provide early insight into the economic impact of Covid-19. The report offers an insight into the industries that Covid-19 has affected positively, showing that the number of billionaires in technology, insurance, business services and healthcare grew by between 6% and 9% during the first five months of 2020 compared with 2019.
The Census also reveals data showing that over 10% of the world’s billionaires have donated toward the fight against COVID-19 – with these individuals tending to be younger, wealthier and more likely to have created their own wealth, compared to traditional major billionaire donors.
Hong Kong ranks seventh on the list, with a total of 96 billionaires (with a combined wealth of $280 billion). However, in terms of the cities with the most billionaires, Hong Kong ranks second, falling a place behind New York.
So, where are these billionaires calling home? Below are the top 10 countries with the most billionaires in 2020:
1/10 United States
Number of billionaires: 788
Total billionaire wealth: $3,431 billion
Richest Individual: Jeff Bezos ($172 billion)
See also: Amazon’s Jeff Bezos Sets A New Record For The Richest Person Alive
2/10 China
Number of billionaires: 342
Total billionaire wealth: $1,151 billion
Richest Individual: Jack Ma ($38.2 billion)
3/10 Germany
Number of billionaires: 153
Total billionaire wealth: $477 billion
Richest Individual: Dieter Schwarz ($30.4 billion)
4/10 Russia
Number of billionaires: 114
Total billionaire wealth: $390 billion
Richest Individual: Vladimir Potanin ($19.7 billion)
5/10 Switzerland
Number of billionaires: 100
Total billionaire wealth: $274 billion
Richest Individual: Ernesto Bertarelli ($8 billion)
See also: Meet Hong Kong's Richest Women Of 2020
6/10 United Kingdom
Number of billionaires: 100
Total billionaire wealth: $217 billion
Richest Individual: James Dyson ($16.2 billion)
See also: A Call To Action: James Dyson Designed CoVent, A New Ventilator To Fight Covid-19
7/10 Hong Kong
Number of billionaires: 96
Total billionaire wealth: $280 billion
Richest Individual: Lee Shau Kee ($30.4 billion)
See also: Hong Kong’s Richest Men 2020: 10 Billionaires Who Topped The Forbes List
8/10 India
Number of billionaires: 87
Total billionaire wealth: $314 billion
Richest Individual: Mukesh Ambani ($36.8 billion)
See also: 10 Powerful Quotes From Hong Kong's Richest People
9/10 Saudi Arabia
Number of billionaires: 62
Total billionaire wealth: $152 billion
Richest Individual: Alwaleed Al Saud ($15.2 billion)
10/10 France
Number of billionaires: 60
Total billionaire wealth: $219 billion
Richest Individual: Bernard Arnault ($93 billion)
See the full Billionaire Census 2020 report at Wealth-X
