A person who has a net worth of at least 1 billion of a given currency. This could be dollars, pounds, or EUROs.
It is a sub-category of the concept of the ultra high-net-worth individual.
As of 2023, there are over 2,755 billionaires worldwide, with a combined wealth of over $12.7 trillion. The United States has the most billionaires, with over 735 individuals. China is second with over 607 billionaires, followed by India with over 166 billionaires.
Billionaires come from a variety of backgrounds and industries. Some of the most common industries for billionaires include technology, finance, retail, and manufacturing.
Billionaires have a significant impact on the global economy. They control a large portion of the world's wealth, and they can influence financial markets and government policy.
Here are some examples of billionaires:
The history of billionaires can be traced back to the late 19th century, when the Industrial Revolution led to the creation of new industries and fortunes. The first billionaire in the world is generally considered to be John D. Rockefeller, who founded Standard Oil in 1870. Rockefeller's company quickly became the dominant force in the oil industry, and he amassed a fortune that was estimated to be worth over $1 billion in 1916.
In the early 20th century, the number of billionaires grew as new industries such as automobiles, steel, and chemicals emerged. Billionaires also emerged in developing countries such as India and China as these countries experienced rapid economic growth.
After World War II, the number of billionaires continued to grow, and the gap between the rich and the poor widened. This trend accelerated in the 1980s and 1990s, as new technologies such as computers and the internet led to the creation of new industries and fortunes.
Today, there are more billionaires than ever before. The number of billionaires has increased by over 800% since 2000. The rise of has been driven by a number of factors, including economic growth, globalization, and technological innovation.
Here are some key milestones in the history of billionaires:
