There are currently 2,153 billionaires in the world, with a combined wealth of $8.7 trillion. Let us explore which countries have the most number of billionaires.

How many billionaires are there in the world?

The United States has the most billionaires of any country, with 585 as of March 2018. This is followed by China (373), Germany (115), and India (106).

The majority of billionaires worldwide are self-made, having built their businesses from scratch. However, there are also many who have inherited their fortune or have married into wealth. In addition, there is a growing number of billionaires who are making their money in the technology sector.

Here is a look at the countries with the most billionaires, as well as some interesting facts about these ultra-wealthy individuals.

United States: 585 billionaires

The United States has more billionaires than any other country in the world. New York City is home to the greatest concentration of billionaires, with 84 residing in the city. However, there are also many billionaire residents of other cities such as Los Angeles (36), San Francisco (31), and Chicago (24). Not surprisingly, California is home to the greatest number of billionaires of any US state, with 119.

Interestingly, while 56% of American billionaires are self-made, a significant portion have inherited their wealth or have married into it.

For example, Bill Gates – one of the richest men in the world – co-founded Microsoft but his wife Melinda Gates is an heiress to one of America’s largest families (the Fricks). Another example is Warren Buffett, who is worth an estimated $84 billion but whose first wife Susan Buffett was an heiress to a large grocery store chain.

China: 373 billionaires

There are currently 373 billionaires in China, which is second only to the United States. The majority of these individuals live in Beijing (70) or Shanghai (69). However, there are also many billionaires residing in other cities such as Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Hangzhou.

Not surprisingly, given its large population, China has the greatest number of self-made billionaires of any country. In fact, nearly 80% of Chinese billionaires are self-made. This is largely due to the country’s booming economy, which has created many opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Interestingly, while most Chinese billionaires made their money in traditional industries such as manufacturing or real estate, a growing number are now making their fortune in the technology sector. For example, Jack Ma – one of the richest men in China – founded Alibaba Group, an e-commerce giant that is often compared to Amazon.com.

Germany: 115 billionaires

Germany is home to 115 billionaires, which ranks it third behind the United States and China. The majority of German billionaires reside in Berlin (29), followed by Frankfurt (16), Hamburg (15), and Munich (14).

Not surprisingly, given its large population and strong economy, Germany also has the fourth highest number of self-made billionaires (52%).

Interestingly, a significant number of German billionaires have inherited their wealth or have married into it. For example, Stefan Quandt is worth an estimated $17.4 billion but he inherited his fortune from his mother, Johanna Quandt, who was one of the largest shareholders of BMW.

Another example is Susanne Klatten, who is Germany’s richest woman with a net worth of $19.6 billion. She inherited her fortune from her father Herbert Kohler, Jr., who was the chairman and CEO of the Kohler Company.

India: 106 billionaires

India is home to 106 billionaires, which ranks it fourth behind the United States, China, and Germany. The majority of these individuals reside in Mumbai (27), followed by New Delhi (11), Bengaluru (9), and Hyderabad (8). Not surprisingly, given its large population and rapidly growing economy, India has the second highest number of self-made billionaires (69%).

Interestingly, while most Indian billionaires made their money in traditional industries such as manufacturing or real estate development, a growing number are now making their fortune in the technology sector. For example, Azim Premji – one of the richest men in India – is the chairman of Wipro, a leading information technology services company. Another example is Shiv Nadar, who is worth an estimated $13.9 billion and is the founder of HCL Technologies, another leading Indian IT services company.

Russia: 96 billionaires

Russia is home to 96 billionaires, which ranks it fifth behind the United States, China, Germany, and India. The majority of these individuals reside in Moscow (66), followed by St. Petersburg (11), Novosibirsk (3), and Yekaterinburg (2). Not surprisingly, given its large population and strong economy, Russia also has the third highest number of self-made billionaires (59%).

Interestingly, a significant number of Russian billionaires have inherited their wealth or have married into it. For example, Roman Abramovich – one of the richest men in Russia – inherited his fortune from his father Arkady Abramovich. Another example is Alisher Usmanov, who is worth an estimated $17.6 billion but whose wife Irina Viner is an Olympic gold medalist gymnast.

United Kingdom: 80 billionaires

The United Kingdom is home to 80 billionaires, which ranks it sixth behind the United States, China, Germany, India, and Russia.

The majority of these individuals reside in London (42), followed by Oxford (5), Cambridge (4), and Edinburgh (3). Not surprisingly, given its large population and strong economy, the UK also has the fifth highest number of self-made billionaires (45%).

Interestingly, a significant number of British billionaires have inherited their wealth or have married into it. For example, Lakshmi Mittal – one of the richest men in the UK – inherited his fortune from his father Mohan Lal Mittal. Another example is David and Simon Reuben, who are worth an estimated $16.5 billion but whose father David Reuben was a property developer.

Brazil: 75 billionaires

Brazil is home to 75 billionaires, which ranks it seventh behind the United States, China, Germany, India, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

The majority of these individuals reside in Sao Paulo (37), followed by Rio de Janeiro (15), Brasilia (4), and Belo Horizonte (3). Not surprisingly, given its large population and strong economy, Brazil also has the sixth highest number of self-made billionaires (51%).

Interestingly, a significant number of Brazilian billionaires have inherited their wealth or have married into it. For example, Eike Batista – one of the richest men in Brazil – inherited his fortune from his father Eliezer Batista da Silva. Another example is Jorge Paulo Lemann, who is worth an estimated $28.8 billion but whose wife Susanna Lemann is the daughter of a Swiss billionaire.

France: 70 billionaires

France is home to 70 billionaires, which ranks it eighth behind the United States, China, Germany, India, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. The majority of these individuals reside in Paris (42), followed by Lyon (5), Bordeaux (4), and Nice (3). Not surprisingly, given its large population and strong economy, France also has the seventh highest number of self-made billionaires (50%).

Interestingly, a significant number of French billionaires have inherited their wealth or have married into it. For example, Bernard Arnault – one of the richest men in France – inherited his fortune from his father Jean-Louis Arnault. Another example is Liliane Bettencourt, who is worth an estimated $39.5 billion but whose father André Bettencourt was a politician and businessman.

Switzerland: 68 billionaires

Switzerland is home to 68 billionaires, which ranks it ninth behind the United States, China, Germany, India, Russia, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and France. The majority of these individuals reside in Zurich (22), Geneva (19), Basel (6), and Lausanne (5). Not surprisingly, given its small population and strong economy, Switzerland has the eighth highest number of self-made billionaires (47%).

Interestingly, a significant number of Swiss billionaires have inherited their wealth or have married into it. For example, Ernesto Bertarelli – one of the richest men in Switzerland – inherited his fortune from his father Alberto Bertarelli. Another example is Christoph Blocher, who is worth an estimated $3 billion but whose wife Magdalena Martullo-Blocher is the daughter of a billionaire industrialist.

Taiwan: 64 billionaires

Taiwan is home to 64 billionaires, which ranks it tenth behind the United States, China, Germany, India, Russia, the United Kingdom, Brazil, France, and Switzerland. The majority of these individuals reside in Taipei (33), followed by Kaohsiung (4), Taichung (3), and Tainan (2). Not surprisingly, given its large population and strong economy, Taiwan also has the ninth highest number of self-made billionaires (50%).

Interestingly, a significant number of Taiwanese billionaires have inherited their wealth or have married into it. For example, Wei Ing-Chou – one of the richest men in Taiwan – inherited his fortune from his father Wei Yung-Chang. Another example is Tsai Eng-Meng, who is worth an estimated $9.3 billion but whose wife Cher Wang is the daughter of a billionaire businessman.

Spain: 58 billionaires

Spain is home to 58 billionaires, which ranks it eleventh behind the United States, China, Germany, India, Russia, the United Kingdom, Brazil, France, Switzerland, and Taiwan. The majority of these individuals reside in Madrid (31), followed by Barcelona (8), Valencia (2), and Sevilla (2). Not surprisingly, given its large population and strong economy, Spain also has the tenth highest number of self-made billionaires (48%).

Interestingly, a significant number of Spanish billionaires have inherited their wealth or have married into it. For example, Amancio Ortega – one of the richest men in Spain – inherited his fortune from his father Antonio Ortega Rodríguez. Another example is Isabel dos Santos, who is worth an estimated $3 billion but whose father José Eduardo dos Santos was the President of Angola.

Italy: 53 billionaires

Italy is home to 53 billionaires, which ranks it twelfth behind the United States, China, Germany, India, Russia, the United Kingdom, Brazil, France, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Spain. The majority of these individuals reside in Milan (19), followed by Rome (12), Florence (3), and Venice (3). Not surprisingly, given its large population and strong economy, Italy also has the eleventh highest number of self-made billionaires (49%).

Interestingly, a significant number of Italian billionaires have inherited their wealth or have married into it. For example, Giovanni Ferrero – one of the richest men in Italy – inherited his fortune from his father Michele Ferrero. Another example is Giorgio Armani, who is worth an estimated $8.5 billion but whose wife Rosanna Armani is the daughter of a wealthy businessman.

Japan: 45 billionaires

Japan is home to 45 billionaires, which ranks it thirteenth behind the United States, China, Germany, India, Russia, the United Kingdom, Brazil, France, Switzerland, Taiwan, Spain, and Italy. The majority of these individuals reside in Tokyo (29), followed by Osaka (4), Nagoya (3), and Kyoto (2). Not surprisingly, given its large population and strong economy, Japan also has the twelfth highest number of self-made billionaires (44%).

Interestingly, a significant number of Japanese billionaires have inherited their wealth or have married into it. For example, Tadashi Yanai – one of the richest men in Japan – inherited his fortune from his father Masanao Yanai. Another example is Akira Mori , who is worth an estimated $5.6 billion but whose wife Hiroko Mori is the daughter of a billionaire property developer.

Mexico: 43 billionaires

Mexico is home to 43 billionaires, which ranks it fourteenth behind the United States, China, Germany, India, Russia, the United Kingdom, Brazil, France, Switzerland, Taiwan, Spain , Italy , and Japan. The majority of these individuals reside in Mexico City (22), followed by Monterrey (4), Guadalajara (2), and Puebla (2). Not surprisingly given its large population and strong economy , Mexico also has the thirteenth highest number of self-made billionaires (49%).

Interestingly , a significant number of Mexican billionaires have inherited their wealth or have married into it . For example , Carlos Slim – one of the richest men in Mexico – inherited his fortune from his father Julián Slim Haddad . Another example is Alejandro Santo Domingo , who is worth an estimated $13 billion but whose mother Julia Gutiérrez Caba is a billionaire heiress .

South Korea: 39 billionaires

South Korea is home to 39 billionaires, which ranks it fifteenth just behind the United States, China, Germany, India, Russia, United Kingdom, Brazil, France, Switzerland, Taiwan, Spain, Italy, Japan, and Mexico.

The majority of these individuals reside in Seoul (24) , followed by Busan (3) , Incheon (2) , and Daegu (1). Not surprisingly, given its large population and strong economy, South Korea also has the fourteenth highest number of self-made billionaires (54%).

Interestingly, a significant number of South Korean billionaires have inherited their wealth or have married into it. For example, Lee Kun-hee – one of the richest men in South Korea – inherited his fortune from his father Lee Byung-chull. Another example is Chung Mong-koo, who is worth an estimated $9.3 billion but whose son Hyundai Motor Company executive vice chairman Chung Eui-sun is his heir apparent.

Turkey: 35 billionaires

Turkey is home to 35 billionaires, which ranks it sixteenth behind the United States, China, Germany, India Russia, United Kingdom, Brazil, France, Switzerland, Taiwan, Spain, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea.

The majority of these ultra-wealthy individuals reside in Istanbul (19), Ankara(4), Izmir(2), and Bursa(1). Not surprisingly given its large population and strong economy Turkey also has the fifteenth highest number of self-made billionaires (51%).

Interestingly, a significant number of Turkish billionaires have inherited their wealth or have married into it. For example, Ferit Sahenk – one of the richest men in Turkey – inherited his fortune from his father Aydin Sahenk. Another example is Mustafa Koç, who is worth an estimated $3 billion but whose son Ömer Koç is the chairman and CEO of the Koç Holding conglomerate.

Indonesia: 34 billionaires

Indonesia is home to 34 billionaires which ranks it seventeenth behind Turkey. The majority of these individuals reside in Jakarta(17), Bali(2), Bandung(1), Batam(1). Not surprisingly given its large population and strong economy Indonesia also has the sixteenth highest number of self-made billionaires (50%).

Interestingly, a significant number of Indonesian billionaires have inherited their wealth or have married into it. For example, Anthoni Salim – one of the richest men in Indonesia – inherited his fortune from his father Liem Sioe Liong. Another example is Chairul Tanjung, who is worth an estimated $3 billion but whose wife Siti Rukmana is the daughter of former Indonesian president Suharto.

Malaysia: 30 billionaires

Malaysia is home to 30 billionaires which ranks it eighteenth behind Indonesia . The majority of these individuals reside in Kuala Lumpur(15), Johor Bahru(2), Penang(1). Not surprisingly given its large population and strong economy, Malaysia also has the seventeenth highest number of self-made billionaires (50%).

Interestingly, a significant number of Malaysian billionaires have inherited their wealth or have married into it. For example, Robert Kuok – one of the richest men in Malaysia – inherited his fortune from his father Kuok Hock Nien. Another example is Ananda Krishnan , who is worth an estimated $13.4 billion but whose son Akshay Krishnan is his heir apparent.

Australia: 29 billionaires

Australia is home to 29 billionaires which ranks it nineteenth behind the United States, China, Germany, India Russia, United Kingdom, Brazil, France, Switzerland, Taiwan, Spain, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Turkey Indonesia, and Malaysia.

The majority of these individuals reside in Sydney(11), Melbourne(9), Perth(4), Brisbane(2). Not surprisingly given its large population and strong economy Australia also has the eighteenth highest number of self-made billionaires (48%).

Interestingly, a significant number of Australian billionaires have inherited their wealth or have married into it. For example, James Packer – one of the richest men in Australia – inherited his fortune from his father Kerry Packer. Another example is Gina Rinehart , who is worth an estimated $14.8 billion but whose father Lang Hancock was a mining magnate .

Netherlands: 28 billionaires

The Netherlands is home to 28 billionaires which ranks it twentieth behind the United States China Germany India Russia the United Kingdom Brazil France Switzerland Taiwan Spain Italy Japan Mexico South Korea Turkey Indonesia Malaysia Australia.

The majority of these individuals reside in Amsterdam(10), Rotterdam(3), Utrecht(1). Not surprisingly given its large population and strong economy The Netherlands also has the nineteenth highest number of self-made billionaires (46%).

Interestingly, a significant number of Dutch billionaires have inherited their wealth or have married into it. For example, Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken – one of the richest women in the world – inherited her fortune from her father Freddy Heineken. Another example is John de Mol, who is worth an estimated $4.1 billion but whose mother Antoinette de Mol is a billionaire heiress .

Sweden: 27 billionaires

Sweden is home to 27 billionaires which ranks it twenty-first behind the United States China Germany India Russia the United Kingdom Brazil France Switzerland Taiwan Spain Italy Japan Mexico South Korea Turkey Indonesia Malaysia Australia, and The Netherlands.

The majority of these individuals reside in Stockholm(12), Gothenburg(3), Malmo(2). Not surprisingly given its small population and strong economy Sweden also has the twentieth highest number of self-made billionaires (48%).

Interestingly, a significant number of Swedish billionaires have inherited their wealth or have married into it. For example, Stefan Persson – one of the richest men in Sweden – inherited his fortune from his father Erling Persson. Another example is Ingvar Kamprad , who is worth an estimated $43 billion but whose wife Margaretha Kamprad-Persson is a billionaire heiress .

Dubai: 26 billionaires

Dubai is home to 26 billionaires which ranks it twenty-second behind the United States China Germany India Russia the United Kingdom Brazil France Switzerland Taiwan Spain Italy Japan Mexico South Korea Turkey Indonesia Malaysia Australia The Netherlands Sweden. The majority of these individuals reside in Dubai City(14), Abu Dhabi(6), Sharjah.

Conclusion

There are a total of 2,153 billionaires in the world, according to Forbes’ annual ranking. That’s up from 2,043 billionaires last year. The United States has the most billionaires with 585, while China comes in second with 476. In third place is Germany with 107 billionaires.

The total number of billionaires has increased in recent years, and the United States continues to have the most billionaires of any country. China has seen the biggest increase in billionaires over the past year, while Germany remains in third place.