U.S. leads as global billionaire total reaches record 3,428

Forbes' 2026 ranking counts a record 3,428 billionaires in 80 countries and territories, with the United States on top at 989, China at 539 and India at 229. These three account for 51% of the total.

Net worths are measured as of March 1, 2026. U.S. billionaires are worth a combined $8.4 trillion. The country added 106 newcomers, the most of any nation, including entertainers Dr. Dre, Beyonce Knowles-Carter and Taylor Swift. Fifteen of the world's 20 richest live in the U.S., led by Elon Musk at an estimated $839 billion, who immigrated from South Africa via Canada more than three decades ago.

China reports its highest count to date at 539 with combined wealth of $2.2 trillion, about $500 billion more than a year ago. Gains in artificial intelligence and consumer goods lifted fortunes. The country's richest is Zhang Yiming, cofounder of ByteDance, which in January agreed to a deal with investors to bring TikTok to the U.S. in compliance with a law that had initially prompted a ban threat.

India remains third with 229 billionaires worth a collective $1 trillion, up from $941 billion in 2025, supported by a strong stock market. Mukesh Ambani leads at an estimated $99.7 billion.

Germany ranks fourth with 212 billionaires and $1 trillion in combined wealth; its richest is retailer Dieter Schwarz at $67.2 billion. Russia is fifth with 147 worth $649 billion, led by Alexey Mordashov and family at $37 billion.

Nine of last year's top 10 again appear in the top tier. The United Kingdom drops from 10th to 12th, and Taiwan moves into 10th with 66 billionaires and $245 billion in total wealth. Taiwan's richest is Terry Gou at $15.3 billion.

Brazil places ninth with 70 billionaires worth $265 billion, topped by Eduardo Saverin at $35.9 billion. Hong Kong, an autonomous territory, counts 71 with $420 billion combined, led by Robin Zeng at $53.2 billion. Canada has 82 with $457 billion, headed by Changpeng Zhao at $110 billion. Italy has 89 with $483 billion, led by Giancarlo Devasini at $89.3 billion.

Two countries return or join the ranks. Pakistan reappears for the first time since 2010 with newcomer Sualeh Asif, the California-based cofounder of AI code-editing tool Cursor, at an estimated $1.3 billion. Afghanistan enters with newcomer Mirwais Azizi, a Dubai-based real estate developer, at $1.4 billion.