The world’s billionaires are wealthier than ever, according to Forbes’ latest ranking. The 39th edition of the list features a record-breaking 3,028 billionaires, with their total net worth surging by $2 trillion to reach $16.1 trillion.

“It’s a great time to be a billionaire,” said Forbes senior editor Chase Peterson-Withorn, highlighting the immense gains of the ultra-wealthy.

How Forbes compiles the list

Forbes’ annual billionaire list is the result of extensive research by over 100 reporters worldwide. They analyze public company shares, assess private enterprise valuations, track investments, and even consider luxury assets like art and yachts. Some billionaires offer direct insight into their wealth while others keep their financial details private, requiring reporters to rely on legal filings and insider sources to build an accurate estimate.

Who tops the list and how?

With 902 billionaires, The U.S. tops the list, followed by China, Hong Kong, and India.

A closer look at the top 25 billionaires in 2025 reveals that technology continues to be the most lucrative industry for the ultra-wealthy, followed by retail and finance:

• Technology (9 out of 25, or 36%): Notable names include Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Larry Ellison (Oracle), Larry Page & Sergey Brin (Google), and Jensen Huang (Nvidia).
• Fashion & Retail (6 out of 25, or 24%): Bernard Arnault (LVMH), Amancio Ortega (Zara), and the Walton family (Walmart) dominate this sector.
• Finance & Investments (4 out of 25, or 16%): Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway), Michael Bloomberg (Bloomberg LP), and Changpeng Zhao (Binance) represent the financial giants.
• Diversified (3 out of 25, or 12%): Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries), Julia Koch, and Charles Koch (Koch Industries).
• Automotive (4%): Elon Musk leads this sector with Tesla.
• Telecom (4%): Carlos Slim Helu & family dominate through América Móvil.

Changing Public Perception

Public sentiment toward billionaires has shifted, with increased scrutiny on their influence in politics and business. Several billionaires, including Elon Musk, are now involved in the second Trump administration, fueling debates about wealth and power.

As fortunes continue to rise, so does billionaire influence. The question remains: how will the public and policymakers respond? One thing is clear—the world’s wealthiest individuals are more powerful than ever.