The number of billionaires around the world continues to rise despite geopolitical uncertainties, inflationary pressures, and fluctuating financial markets. According to the newly released UBS Billionaire Ambitions Report 2025, there are now 2,919 billionaires globally, each possessing a net worth of at least 1 billion USD. This marks an 8.8% increase from last year, when the number stood at 2,682.
During the same period, the combined wealth of the world’s billionaires grew by 13%, reaching an astonishing 15.8 trillion USD. The report indicates that both entrepreneurial success and intergenerational wealth transfers are reshaping the global billionaire landscape at an unprecedented pace.
Entrepreneurial Wealth on the Rise
UBS highlights that self-made billionaires—individuals who built their wealth through business ventures, innovation, and investments—continue to drive much of the growth. As of April this year, 196 new billionaire entrepreneurs joined the global list, collectively adding 3.865 trillion USD in wealth.
These individuals represent a new generation of innovators dominating sectors such as technology, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, retail, and financial services. Their rise demonstrates how rapidly disruptive business models can generate extraordinary value in today’s global economy.
Record-Breaking Inheritance Wealth
The report also notes a dramatic shift in inherited wealth, with more families transferring fortunes to the next generation. In the past year alone, 91 individuals became billionaires through inheritance, the highest number recorded since UBS began tracking the data.
In total, these new heirs inherited 2.98 trillion USD, setting a new global record for intergenerational wealth transfer. Among them, 64 are men and 27 are women, reflecting a diverse demographic of next-generation wealth holders.
Benjamin Cavalli, a senior UBS executive, said:
“This trend shows that the global wave of wealth transfer within affluent families is accelerating. Over the next 15 years, at least 5.9 trillion USD may be passed down to heirs worldwide.”
Where Most Wealth Transfers Will Occur
According to UBS projections, by 2040, the majority of inherited wealth will shift hands in:
- The United States
- India
- France
- Germany
- Switzerland
These countries hold large concentrations of high-net-worth families whose assets—from businesses to real estate—are set to be passed on to successors.
Female Billionaires Growing Faster
One of the most notable findings of the report is the rapid rise of female billionaires. The number of women billionaires now stands at 374 worldwide, with their average wealth increasing by 8.4% to 520 million USD each. This growth rate outpaces the 3.2% increase observed among male billionaires.
UBS attributes this trend to the strong performance of consumer markets, retail brands, and lifestyle sectors—industries in which many female entrepreneurs and heirs hold significant investments.
