The Hurun Global Rich List of 2013 goes to show how the global economic picture is changing. From the rising power of emerging economies, to the greater role of women in business and economy today, the global rich list gives a glimpse of all.
Asias rising clout across the world can be felt, with the continent leading all others in terms of the number of billionaires. Out of the 1,453 people around the world with a personal wealth of one billion dollar or more - as of January this year - Asia has the highest number with 608 individuals.
And guess which countries within Asia bag the trophy for the highest number of the rich ones? Unsurprisingly, they
e India and China, with 317 citizens of China making it to the billionaire list. In fact, Asian cities, such as Hong Kong, Beijing, Mumbai, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Taipei make it to the list of the top 10 cities with the most billionaires.
The number of female billionaires has also risen this year - a jump of 34 more women making it to the list. Among them, the leading lady is also ranked number 10th overall. She is Liliane Bettencourt whose family owns LOreal. Interestingly, most of the women inherited a large part of their fortunes; some, ironically, also acquired their fortunes through divorce.
But there are women who made their fortunes entirely on their own. This way or that, women are taking spotlight when it comes to riches too, and that shows changing polarity in a mans world.
In terms of industry, real estate and technology emerge as areas where the big bucks lie. Real estate produced 16 percent of the billionaires on the list, particularly in China.
"Seven of the Top 10 real estate tycoons in the world are living in China, predominantly in HK but also with two from mainland China, a reflection of the urbanisation boom of the last generation," said an article in CFO Innovation Asia, an online publication exclusively for top-level finance managers in the corporate sector in Asia and China.
Besides these, fashion also emerged as a string industry to reckon with, with heads of fashion house Zara, luxury brand LVMH, and cosmetics giant LOreal included in the list of the top ten.
Overall, the list says more than what initially meets the eye. The combined personal wealth of the billionaires on the list equates to $5.5 trillion, which is roughly equal to the GDP of China! If only the distribution of wealth could be relatively more even around a recession-hit world...but thats a thought too idealistic to believe.
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Top Ten - Hurun Global Rich List 2013
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Name Wealth Key Source of Wealth Age Residence
US$bn
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1 Carlos Slim Helu & family 66 America Movil 73 Mexico
2 Warren Buffett 58 Berkshire Hathaway 82 USA
3 Amancio Ortega 55 Zara 76 Spain
4 Bill Gates 54 Microsoft 57 USA
5 Bernard Arnault 51 LVMH 63 France
6 Larry Ellison 43 Oracle 68 USA
7 Li Ka-shing 32 Cheung Kong 85 China
8 Charles Koch 31 Energy 77 USA
8 David Koch 31 Energy 72 USA
10 Liliane Bettencourt 30 LOreal 90 France
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Source: Hurun Global Rich List 2013
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