The 10 Countries With the Most Billionaires Span 4 Continents

The U.S. leads the world with the highest number of billionaires. It’s home to over 900 of them, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk, and legendary investor Warren Buffett.

Together, they hold a combined net worth of over $6.8 trillion. The country's massive economy, robust investments sector, and access to opportunities make it a place where money multiplies.

China comes in second, with 450 billionaires. Many are self-made, rising through tech, manufacturing and real estate. Companies like Tencent and Alibaba have created vast fortunes.

Despite a recent dip in economic growth, China continues to drive change in the global economy through concentrated wealth and rising domestic value.

India’s billionaire count has soared, reaching just over 200. Family-run empires, IT services and a surging stock market have all played a role.

With a combined net worth of nearly $1 trillion, Indian billionaires hold increasing influence. The country’s place on the world stage continues to rise, creating new experiences for investors and entrepreneurs.

Germany holds the most billionaires in Europe. These fortunes are largely tied to automotive, engineering and pharmaceuticals.

The country’s economic stability and reputation for quality manufacturing help retain its ranking. Billionaires here often build value through family businesses and long-term investments.

Russia maintains its place among the top countries with the most billionaires, despite sanctions and economic instability. Most fortunes stem from energy, heavy industry and natural resources.

While political tensions have affected market access, the total number of billionaires remains high.

Hong Kong has long been a magnet for money. With a dense population of billionaires, this global financial hub thrives on trade, banking and real estate. The rise of Asia’s economic power keeps Hong Kong in the conversation, even amid political shifts.

The United Kingdom, especially London, is home to a mix of old wealth and new tech fortunes. From luxury brands to fintech startups, the UK’s billionaire community spans industries. Access to international markets and a favorable legal framework help attract and retain billionaires.

Brazil leads Latin America in billionaire count. Natural resources, agriculture and banking drive wealth here.

Though economic swings are common, the country continues to produce ultra-wealthy individuals who invest both at home and abroad. Billionaires like Jorge Paulo Lemann highlight Brazil’s global economic footprint.

Canada offers a stable environment for billionaires, with fortunes built on real estate, mining, and media. It benefits from close ties to the U.S. economy and offers a high quality of life. Canadian billionaires often hold diverse investment portfolios.

France rounds out the top 10, driven by fashion, cosmetics and luxury. Bernard Arnault, often labeled the richest person in the world, leads LVMH. The country blends cultural influence with concentrated wealth, making it a notable home for billionaires.

Globally, the number of billionaires continues to increase each year. Their wealth is not just financial; it also represents power, influence and access.

The combined net worth of all billionaires now exceeds $16 trillion. While a few countries hold more than half of these individuals, the rest of the world is catching up.

Several factors make a country attractive to billionaires:

These ingredients create ecosystems where the richest people thrive.

As wealth continues to grow, the concept of a trillionaire no longer feels distant. With technology scaling faster and investments compounding over time, someone may eventually hit that milestone.

While no one holds that title yet, it’s clear that the gap between the wealthy and the rest is widening.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.