The number of billionaires worldwide continues to rise at a faster pace, according to UBS’s 2025 annual wealth report.
This year, 287 individuals joined the ranks of roughly 3,000 global billionaires, many through inheritance. By 2040, ultra-wealthy families are expected to transfer about $5.9 trillion in assets, underscoring the scale of intergenerational wealth handovers.
Key Findings
- Global billionaire count: 2,919 in 2025, up 287 from 2024.
- Combined wealth: Nearly $15.8 trillion, a 13% increase year-on-year — exceeding the eurozone’s GDP.
- Regional breakdown:
- United States: 919 billionaires (about one-third of the global total).
- China: 470 billionaires, plus 76 in Hong Kong.
- Europe: 547 billionaires, with Germany (117), Switzerland (85), UK (82), and France (46).
- The report highlights how inheritance is becoming the dominant driver of billionaire growth, reshaping global financial markets and investment strategies. The scale of wealth transfer — larger than four times France’s public debt — signals major implications for asset management, taxation, and policy debates worldwide.