New Delhi, September 5 (Daily Kiran) : The number of billionaires worldwide reached a record high in 2025, fueled by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and a strong performance in technology stocks. According to a report by wealth intelligence firm Altrata, the billionaire count rose by 8.2% to 3,795, marking the largest annual increase in five years. Their collective wealth surged by 12.8%, reaching $15.1 trillion, highlighting the growing influence of technology and AI investments on the fortunes of the world’s richest individuals.
Altrata emphasized the pivotal role of the AI boom in boosting billionaire wealth. The impressive performance of technology stocks also contributed significantly to this growth. However, the report cautioned that the increasing concentration of wealth within the technology and AI sectors could heighten market volatility risks.
The report identified 150 listed companies that significantly contributed to the increase in billionaire wealth. Companies that invested at least $3 million in AI over the past five years saw their market capitalization grow by 23% between 2024 and 2025, compared to those that did not make such investments.
Additionally, wealth concentration among the ultra-rich has accelerated. Altrata identified 29 individuals with assets exceeding $50 billion, dubbing them “super billionaires.” Their combined wealth of $4.1 trillion accounts for approximately 27% of the total wealth of billionaires globally.
This concentration of wealth has increased markedly over the last decade. In 2017, only 10 individuals possessed assets over $50 billion, and their combined wealth constituted just 7.2% of the total wealth of global billionaires.
Maya Imberg, head of thought leadership and analytics at Altrata, noted that the fortunes of many of the world’s wealthiest individuals will increasingly reflect developments in the AI sector.
North America led in the number of billionaires in 2025, with a 11.6% increase bringing the total to 1,337. The strong positions of both private and publicly listed technology markets in the U.S. contributed to this growth. Europe followed with 1,081 billionaires, a 7.9% rise, while Asia reported 881 billionaires, up 6.5% during the year.
Among billionaires in London, nearly 60% were born abroad, with 48% in the UK overall, 41% in San Francisco, and 19% in New York.
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