Global billionaire population reaches 2,170 billionaires; Asia fastest-growing region

November 7, 2013

According to the Wealth-X and UBS Billionaire Census 2013, Asia has recorded the largest increase in its billionaires club in the world adding 18 new billionaires in 2013, making it the fastest-growing region. The study was centred solely on persons with a net worth of $ 30 million and above.
As per the report:

Asia witnessed the highest percentage increase in billionaire population (3.7% from 2012) and total wealth (13%) in 2013, making it the fastest-growing region.
Within 5 years, Asia would catch up with North America in terms of number of billionaires.
Asia has 44,505 ultra-high net worth individuals, whose total wealth amounted to USD 6,590 billion.
The total number of billionaires in the world reached a record 2,170 individuals in 2013. The average net worth of the world’s billionaires was at USD 3 billion.
The combined net worth of the billionaires’ population became two-fold from $ 3.1 trillion in 2009 to $ 6.5 trillion in 2013 – enough to fund the US budget deficit until 2024, and larger than the GDP of every nation except the US and China.
Europe has highest number of billionaires (766 individuals).
North America has the most billionaire wealth (USD 2,158 billion).
Around 60% of billionaires are self-made, while 40% inherited their wealth or grew their fortunes from inheritance.