CNNMoney | by Jillian Eugenios
Where are the wealthiest people on the planet? These economies boast the highest number of people whose net worth exceeds $1 billion, according to Wealth-X and UBS Billionaire Census 2013.
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.
China
No. of billionaires: 157
Total net worth (2013): $384 billion
China’s growth has slowed recently, but it remains a hotspot for billionaires. The country added 10 new billionaires over the last year.
That number might have been even higher, but some wealthy residents decided to take their money beyond the mainland recently — giving Hong Kong and other Asian cities a boost. The moves were apparently sparked by concerns about China’s ongoing credit crunch and a recent anti-corruption campaign that targeted luxury spending, according to Wealth-X.
To be ultra rich in China, think manufacturing. A full 17% of the country’s wealthiest, those with $30 million or more in assets, derived their wealth from that sector.
Germany
No. of billionaires: 148
Total net worth (2013): $432 billion
It’s no secret that Germany’s robust economy helped bolster the eurozone and drag it out of the financial crisis. That strength also helped it to keep producing ultra-rich Germans.
Indeed, Germany has nearly as many billionaires as China, despite its much smaller population.
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.
United Kingdom
No. of billionaires: 135
Total net worth (2013): $420 billion
With London as one of the top financial capitals of the world, the city boasts a growing number of the ultra wealthy. There are now nearly 6,400 Londoners worth more than $30 million — that’s 5.7% more than the year before.
In the U.K. overall, the ranks of the richest — billionaires — actually dropped slightly. Their net worth declined as well. But those a rung below them on the wealth scale are enjoying solid financial growth, so it’s likely more Brits will reach the billionaire mark soon.
Russia
No. of billionaires: 108
Total net worth (2013): $342 billion
The Russian economy has been thrust into question due to the annexation of Crimea and the crisis in Ukraine. The International Monetary Fund recently lowered its projections for Russia’s growth from 2% to 1.3%.
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 U.S. and E.U. have imposed sanctions against some Russian individuals and businesses.