Statistics




The dot-com bubble created the most paper wealth for some billionaires. However, once the dotcom bubble burst the new rich saw their fortunes disappear. Billionaires' fortunes were hit even harder by the global financial crisis; 2009 was the first time in five years that the world had a net loss in the number of billionaires. The strong performance of the financial markets and global economic recovery have erased financial assets losses. Most of the richest people in the world saw their fortunes soar in the early 2010s.

Number and combined net worth of billionaires by year
Year Number of billionaires Group's combined net worth
2020 2,095 $8.0 trillion
2019 2,153 $8.7 trillion
2018 2,208 $9.1 trillion
2017 2,043 $7.7 trillion
2016 1,810 $6.5 trillion
2015 1,826 $7.1 trillion
2014 1,645 $6.4 trillion
2013 1,426 $5.4 trillion
2012 1,226 $4.6 trillion
2011 1,210 $4.5 trillion
2010 1,011 $3.6 trillion
2009 793 $2.4 trillion
2008 1,125 $4.4 trillion
2007 946 $3.5 trillion
2006 793 $2.6 trillion
2005 691 $2.2 trillion
2004 587 $1.9 trillion
2003 476 $1.4 trillion
2002 497 $1.5 trillion
2001 538 $1.8 trillion
2000 470 $898 billion
Sources: Forbes.

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