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 per cent 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 per cent to US$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 per cent and 9 per cent during the first five months of 2020 compared with 2019.

The Census also reveals data showing that over 10 per cent 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 and a combined wealth of US$280 billion. However, in terms of the cities with the most billionaires, Hong Kong ranks second, falling a place behind New York.

See also: Li Ka-Shing, Jack Ma And Others In Asia Doing Their Part During This Health Crisis

So, where are these billionaires calling home? Below are the top 10 countries with the most billionaires in 2020:

1. United States

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Pexels

Number of billionaires: 788

Total billionaire wealth: US$3,431 billion

Richest Individual: Jeff Bezos (US$172 billion)

See also: Amazon’s Jeff Bezos Is The Richest Person Alive

2. China

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Pexels

Number of billionaires: 342

Total billionaire wealth: US$1,151 billion

Richest Individual: Ma Huateng (US$57.2 billion)

See also: Joseph Tsai, The Billionaire Co-Founder Of Alibaba, On His New Role As A Sports Investor

3. Germany

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Pexels

Number of billionaires: 153

Total billionaire wealth: US$477 billion

Richest Individual: Dieter Schwarz (US$30.4 billion)

See also: The Youngest Malaysian Billionaires

4. Russia

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Pexels

Number of billionaires: 114

Total billionaire wealth: US$390 billion

Richest Individual: Vladimir Potanin (US$19.7 billion)

See also: The 5 Youngest Billionaires in Asia

5. Switzerland

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Pexels

Number of billionaires: 100

Total billionaire wealth: US$274 billion

Richest Individual: Ernesto Bertarelli (US$8 billion)

6. United Kingdom

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Pexels

Number of billionaires: 100

Total billionaire wealth: US$217 billion

Richest Individual: James Dyson (US$16.2 billion)

7. Hong Kong

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Pexels

Number of billionaires: 96

Total billionaire wealth: US$280 billion

Richest Individual: Lee Shau Kee (US$30.4 billion)

See also: Hong Kong's Richest Woman Pansy Ho Steers Macau In A New Direction

8. India

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Pexels

Number of billionaires: 87

Total billionaire wealth: US$314 billion

Richest Individual: Mukesh Ambani (US$36.8 billion)

9. Saudi Arabia

Tatler Asia

Number of billionaires: 62

Total billionaire wealth: US$152 billion

Richest Individual: Alwaleed Al Saud (US$15.2 billion)

10. France

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Pexels.com

Number of billionaires: 60

Total billionaire wealth: US$219 billion

Richest Individual: Bernard Arnault (US$93 billion)

See also: The 10 Richest Women In The World In 2020

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