Despite the ongoing economic crisis, the number of billionaires globally has hit a new all-time high. This was revealed by the Billionaire Census 2014, a report compiled by Wealth-X and Ubs, according to which the number of billionaires has risen to 2.325, or 155 more, 7%, compared to 2013, for total assets of 7.300 billion dollars, +12% on year, a sum greater than the total market capitalization of companies listed on the Dow Jones and equal to about 4% of global wealth.
In terms of Uhnw (Ultra High Net Worth) population, Europe is the world leader: more than a third of the billionaire population resides in the Old Continent, even if the United States, where there are 57 more Scrooges than last year, maintain their leadership as the richest country in the world.
The median age of billionaires is 63, and their median net worth is $3,1 billion. The majority of the ultra-wealthy, according to the report, inherited part of their fortune, and then became billionaires thanks to their entrepreneurial activity.
Among other relevant data is that of Asia, responsible for 30% of the net increase in global billionaire wealth, although the areas showing the most significant growth, in terms of individual billionaires, are Latin America and the Caribbean , +37,8% on an annual basis.
About 35% of the world's billionaires are concentrated in just 20 cities. There are 2.039 male billionaires, while the number of female billionaires stands at 286.
As for the Italians: the first to appear in the standings is Michele Ferrero, at number 23 in the global ranking. Next we find Leonardo Del Vecchio, of Luxottica, with a fortune of 11,5 billion. Giorgio Armani and Miuccia Prada arrive from fashion, with assets of 7,2 and 6,8 billion dollars. Finally Paolo and Mario Rocca, entrepreneurs in the production of pipes, with their 6 billion dollars of capital, and Silvio Berlusconi, with 5,9 billion dollars.
