2025

Billionaire wealth went from $13 trillion in 2023 to $15 trillion in 2024.

That’s an increase of $2 trillion in one year... an increase of 15%, more than 3x faster than the global economygrew that year.

Global picture

• About 67% of billionaires worldwide are classified as self-made.

• The remaining 33% inherited their fortunes, either fully or in part.

By Country

• China: Roughly 97% self-made. China has one of the highest proportions of first-generation wealth creators, though many of these fortunes were built with strong ties to government or state-backed projects, which highlights how policy and entrepreneurship often intersect in shaping new wealth.

• Russia: About 97% self-made, similar to China, reflecting rapid fortunes built after the post-Soviet era.

• United States: Around 70–75% self-made, with 25–30% inherited or mixed wealth. The U.S. is above the global average for self-made fortunes.

• Germany: Only about 25% self-made; the majority (~75%) of billionaires inherited or expanded family fortunes.

• Spain: Roughly 26% self-made, with 74% inherited/mixed wealth.

• Italy: About 36% self-made, while 64% inherited or mixed.

• Mexico: Around 27% self-made, with 73% inherited/mixed.

While the global average leans toward self-made billionaires, countries like Germany, Spain, Italy, and Mexico are dominated by dynastic and family wealth. In contrast, China, Russia, and the U.S. stand out for producing more first-generation billionaires.