See the list of the top 20 Richest men in the world

What a remarkable year it has been for the world’s billionaires, as their fortunes continue to grow despite global challenges such as war, political instability, and persistent inflation. The number of billionaires has reached an all-time high of 2,781, which is 141 more than last year and 26 more than the previous record set in 2021.

Their collective wealth has soared to $14.2 trillion, an increase of $2 trillion from 2023 and $1.1 trillion higher than the previous record. The majority of billionaires on the list are wealthier than they were a year ago, with only a quarter experiencing a decrease in their net worth.

The top 20 billionaires alone have seen their wealth grow by a combined $700 billion since 2023, with the United States leading the pack with a record 813 billionaires worth a total of $5.7 trillion. China follows closely behind with 473 billionaires (including those from Hong Kong) worth $1.7 trillion, despite challenges such as weak consumer spending and a real estate downturn that led to a loss of approximately $300 billion in wealth. India, with 200 billionaires (also a record), takes the third spot. Net worth calculations were based on stock prices and exchange rates as of March 8, 2024. SEE THE LIST OF THE TOP 20 RICHEST MEN IN THE WORLD (TOP 20 BILLIONAIRES WORLDWIDE), BELOW: