Top Countries of the world for Billionaires
Posted by Aehtasham tariq | 6/11/2014 03:42:00 pm | No Comments |
1: United States
No. of Billionaires: 515
Total Net worth (2013): $2,064 billion
Land
of the free, home of the billionaires? Nearly a quarter of the world's
wealthiest -- those with more than $1 billion in assets -- are based in the
U.S., according to 2013 data from Wealth-X and UBS Billionaire Census 2013.
And if you look a little lower on the wealth ladder, at folks worth $30 million or more, Americans account for a whopping 32% of the world's super rich.
American women hold a lot of that wealth: $1.2 trillion worth of assets, more than ultra-wealthy women in any other country.
So where in the states are the richest Americans?California 's golden shores account
for 20% of the country's super rich, and their numbers are growing. New York and Texas also rank high.
And if you look a little lower on the wealth ladder, at folks worth $30 million or more, Americans account for a whopping 32% of the world's super rich.
American women hold a lot of that wealth: $1.2 trillion worth of assets, more than ultra-wealthy women in any other country.
So where in the states are the richest Americans?
2: China
No. of billionaires: 157
Total net worth (2013): $384 billion
Total net worth (2013): $384 billion
That number might have been even higher, but some wealthy residents decided to take their money beyond the mainland recently -- giving
To be ultra rich in
3: Germany
No. of billionaires: 148
Total net worth (2013): $432 billion
Total net worth (2013): $432 billion
It's no secret that
Indeed,
German billionaires saw their assets grow slightly in the past year, but wealth creation was even stronger for rich folks in a lower tier -- those with $30 million to $199 million in assets. That group saw their overall net worth increase more than 25% last year.
4: United Kingdom
No. of billionaires: 135
Total net worth (2013): $420 billion
Total net worth (2013): $420 billion
With
In the
5: Russia
No. of billionaires: 108
Total net worth (2013): $342 billion
Total net worth (2013): $342 billion
The Russian economy has been thrust into question due to the annexation of
Still, there are plenty of ultra-rich Russians. In fact, their numbers rose by 35 last year. How much the political unrest will affect the country's wealthiest citizens in the future, though, remains to be seen, especially since the
6: India
No. of billionaires: 103
Total net worth (2013): $180 billion
Total net worth (2013): $180 billion
2013 wasn't a great year for Indian billionaires. Their ranks and overall wealth declined more than 5%. Meanwhile, the country has struggled with economic issues including a weak rupee, slowing growth and high public debt.
But with a sweeping victory for the country's pro-business party last month, and the inauguration of a new prime minister, Narendra Modi, investors hope a turnaround is near. Modi is focused on growth, and seeks to attract foreign investment by minimizing bureaucratic challenges businesses face there. That means more billionaires could be on the way.
7 : Hong Kong
No. of billionaires: 75
Total net worth (2013): $224 billion
Total net worth (2013): $224 billion
8: Saudi Arabia
No. of
billionaires: 64
Total net worth (2013): $204 billion
Total net worth (2013): $204 billion
The oil-rich Middle East has long been a home for billionaires,
and Saudi Arabia leads the pack.
It also boasts a growing population of
ultra-wealthy people who have $30 million or more in assets. Saudi Arabia gained 200 of these super-rich folks
last year, and their total wealth grew 27%, according to Wealth-X.
Almost the entire Middle East saw double-digit growth, except for Syria , where the ongoing civil war has taken
a toll.
Women still struggle to gain a foothold
among Saudi Arabia 's wealth elite: They account for just
5% of the country's super rich.
9: France
No. of
billionaires: 64
Total net worth (2013): $202 billion
Total net worth (2013): $202 billion
French President Francois Hollande
garnered international attention for his so-called "millionaire tax,"
which was approved by France 's highest court last year. Under it,
companies that pay high annual salaries could face a 75% tax rate.
While critics fear the tax will push
some wealthy residents to leave the country, the impact is yet to be seen.
Most French billionaires and
multimillionaires are based in Paris . The City of Light accounts for nearly three-quarters of
the country's wealthiest.
10: Switzerland
No. of billionaires: 61
Total net worth (2013): $128 billion
Total net worth (2013): $128 billion
As Europe continues to recover from the debt
crisis, its high earners have seen big gains. Switzerland has proved to be especially resilient,
as the super rich added almost $100 billion to their coffers last year.
And while the country has recently been
cracking down on tax evasion and chipping away at banking secrecy laws, the
country still managed to mint four new billionaires last year.
11 : Brazil
No. of
billionaires: 50
Total net worth (2013): $259 billion
Total net worth (2013): $259 billion
The host country for this year's World
Cup is hoping to get a $70 billion boost from the influx of spectators for the
games, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Sports.
That could be a helpful shot in the arm
for the economy, since Brazil 's growth has slowed recently. Even the
country's super-rich are feeling poorer -- their combined wealth dropped $95
billion from 2012 to 2013. However, a large portion of that loss can be
attributed to Eike Batista, a rich Brazilian businessman who lost billions of
dollars in the last couple years.
Turkey has been in the news recently for anti-government protests and a mining
disaster that claimed the lives of more than 300 people.
Turkey 's wealthiest are reaping the benefits
-- the country added 70 people to the ranks of its super rich last year. How
apropos then that Turkey is ranked 3rd worldwide in production
of yachts, a favorite toy of the wealthy. Only Italy and the Netherlands rank higher.
Dubai is known as a playground for the
wealthy.
12: Turkey
No. of
billionaires: 38
Total net worth (2013): $56 billion
Total net worth (2013): $56 billion
Its economy, though, has been getting
stronger since the global financial crisis -- it experienced 4% growth last
year.
And though the International Monetary
Fund slightly downgraded Turkey 's growth for this year, its economy is
still predicted to expand by 2.3%.
13: Canada
No. of
billionaires: 37
Total net worth (2013): $94 billion
Total net worth (2013): $94 billion
The world's second-biggest country is
spread over six time zones and enjoys a wealth of natural resources. It doesn't
lack for super-rich residents either: Nearly 5,000 Canadians are worth over $30
million.
Compared to other countries in the top
15, Canada 's ultra wealthy tend to skew older
(average age: 63) and male (men make up 87% of the ultra wealthy).
14: United Arab Emirates
No. of
billionaires: 37
Total net worth (2013): $45 billion
Total net worth (2013): $45 billion
Oil and gas pump up the UAE's economy
and businesses don't have to pay a federal income tax. 59% of the super rich in
the UAE are self-made, and the outlook for the country is projected to be
positive, with a prospering tourism sector and recovering real estate market.
While the UAE doesn't break the top 10
of this list, it could rise in the rankings next year if current trends hold:
The number of super rich in the country grew by 20.7% last year.
15: japan
No. of
billionaires: 33
Total net worth (2013): $77 billion
Total net worth (2013): $77 billion
With an economy that's been struggling
since the '90s, Japan has turned to "Abenomics" -- policies by Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe's government that includes measures like a stimulus program
and higher national sales tax.
Even with its challenges, Japan saw its population of super rich grow
by double digits last year.
Source: Yahoo