Global Billionaire Wealth Surges 17% in 2024, Driven by U.S. Stock Market Gains

UBS report highlights a decade of wealth growth, with U.S. billionaires leading gains while China's billionaire count declines.

The combined wealth of the world's billionaires grew by 17% in the past year to $14 trillion, with the U.S. stock market fueling much of the increase.
The number of billionaires worldwide rose to 2,682, with 268 new billionaires emerging in 2024, most of them self-made entrepreneurs.
U.S. billionaires saw the largest gains, with their collective wealth rising 27.6% to $5.8 trillion, accounting for over 40% of global billionaire wealth.
China experienced a decline in billionaire wealth, dropping 20% to $1.4 trillion, as challenges in the property and financial markets affected fortunes.
Key areas of future investment for billionaires include real estate, developed market bonds and equities, and precious metals, reflecting concerns over geopolitical risks and economic uncertainty.