Cover Wealth-X's Billionaire Census 2020 report reveals insights and trends about the world's top billionaires (Photo: Unsplash)

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. United States

Tatler Asia
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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. China

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Pexels.com

Number of billionaires: 342

Total billionaire wealth: $1,151 billion

Richest Individual: Jack Ma ($38.2 billion)

3. Germany

Tatler Asia
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Number of billionaires: 153

Total billionaire wealth: $477 billion

Richest Individual: Dieter Schwarz ($30.4 billion)

4. Russia

Tatler Asia
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Number of billionaires: 114

Total billionaire wealth: $390 billion

Richest Individual: Vladimir Potanin ($19.7 billion)

5. Switzerland

Tatler Asia
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Number of billionaires: 100

Total billionaire wealth: $274 billion

Richest Individual: Ernesto Bertarelli ($8 billion)

See also: 10 Signs You're A Crazy Rich Asian

6. United Kingdom

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Number of billionaires: 100

Total billionaire wealth: $217 billion

Richest Individual: James Dyson ($16.2 billion)

 

7. Hong Kong

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Pexels.com

Number of billionaires: 96

Total billionaire wealth: $280 billion

Richest Individual: Lee Shau Kee ($30.4 billion)

See also: Meet The 15 Filipinos On Forbes' 2020 World's Billionaires List

8. India

Tatler Asia
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Number of billionaires: 87

Total billionaire wealth: $314 billion

Richest Individual: Mukesh Ambani ($36.8 billion)

9. Saudi Arabia

Tatler Asia

Number of billionaires: 62

Total billionaire wealth: $152 billion

Richest Individual: Alwaleed Al Saud ($15.2 billion)

10. France

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Pexels.com

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

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