In 2022, the number of billionaires fell by 3.5% to 3,194 — the first annual decline since 2018, wiping out the increase of the previous year.
By BARNES International — Source : Wealth-X, an Altrata company 2023
The number of billionaires fell by -3.5% in 2022 to 3,194 for all countries combined - a slowdown that took analysts by surprise. Indeed, this is the first time their number has fallen since 2018, and one that almost entirely wiped out the increase of the previous year. The combined wealth of billionaires fell by 5.5% in 2022 to reach $11,107 billion.
While the global economy was just getting back on its feet after the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 was marked by worrying market instability — the health crisis being immediately followed by an economic crisis — on top of the war in Europe, a general spike in inflation and escalating tensions between the US and China.
