A new UBS Global Wealth Report shows the number of billionaires worldwide climbed to a record 3,302, while their combined wealth surged 25% over the past year.
Billionaire Boom
The world has never had more billionaires, and their fortunes are growing faster than global wealth overall, according to a new UBS report.
Reporting on the findings, Swissinfo cited the UBS Global Wealth Report, which showed the number of billionaires climbed 13.1% over the past year to a record 3,302 worldwide.
Their combined wealth jumped 25% in the year to April 2026, fuelled largely by strong gains in the United States and Asia. UBS identified 18 individuals worth between $50 billion and $100 billion, while 19 people now hold fortunes above $100 billion — 15 of them American.
Globally, personal wealth grew 10.8% in 2025, the fastest pace since 2017, with nearly a million new millionaires minted during the year and gains recorded across every market UBS tracks.
Part of that growth, UBS noted, reflects a weaker US dollar, which inflated the dollar value of assets held in other currencies.
Even so, the report flagged a widening gap beneath the surface: median wealth fell in most global markets even as the overall numbers climbed. UBS economist James Mazeau pointed to strong equity market participation as a key driver behind the wealth surge.
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