Wealth-X, a company that conducts research on the ultra-wealthy, recently released its annual billionaire census, which explores the trends and habits of the world’s richest people.<\/p>\n
The report indicates that there are 2,473 total billionaires in the world, representing a combined wealth of US$7.7 trillion. These figures illustrate a 6.4% and 5.4% increase since 2014, respectively.<\/p>\n
Wealth-X defines UHNW individuals as having at least US$30 million in personal wealth (net worth) and billionaires as having a net worth of US$1 billion or greater.<\/p>\n
While there is only one billionaire for every 2.95 million people on the planet, their wealth has a tremendous impact on the global economy.<\/p>\n
In 2015, billionaires controlled 3.9% of the world’s total household wealth. While this figure is slightly down from 2014.<\/p>\n
Male billionaires continue to represent the majority – 140 of the 148 new billionaire additions in 2015 were male, 17.5 times more than women.<\/p>\n
Billionaires with partially inherited wealth continue to be the fastest growing segment of this population, responsible for nearly two thirds of total billionaire additions and a 29.9% increase from 2014.<\/p>\n
Achieving billionaire status often requires more than just inheritance; 87% of billionaires made the majority of their fortunes themselves, up from 81% in 2014.<\/p>\n
While finance, banking and investment remains the leading industry for billionaires, a subtle shift continues to grow \u2013 the number of billionaires in these fields decreased by 5.5% while their wealth decreased by 6.6%<\/p>\n
Industrial conglomerates continue to edge to the top spot with the insurance, retail, diversified financial services, business services and IT services sectors all seeing significant billionaire growth.<\/p>\n
Philanthropy is the primary passion amongst global billionaires, with more than 56% of total billionaires either undertaking or interested in pursuing philanthropic activities.<\/p>\n
The second and third most popular interests are travel and art: 31% of today’s billionaires report travel as a passion, while 29% report art.<\/p>\n
Top 20 most common hobbies of the world’s super rich<\/strong> Superyachts owned by the world\u2019s billionaires<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Top 10 most exclusive estates for South Africa\u2019s ultra-rich<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
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\n #<\/strong><\/td>\n Hobby<\/strong><\/td>\n %<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1<\/td>\n Philanthropy<\/span><\/td>\n 56.3%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2<\/td>\n Travel<\/td>\n 31%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 3<\/td>\n Art<\/td>\n 28.7%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 4<\/td>\n Fashion and style<\/span><\/td>\n 25.2%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 5<\/td>\n Politics<\/td>\n 22.2%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 6<\/td>\n Wine and spirits<\/span><\/td>\n 15.9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 7<\/td>\n Boating<\/td>\n 14.9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 8<\/td>\n Health and exercise<\/span><\/td>\n 14.8%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 9<\/td>\n Automobiles<\/span><\/td>\n 14.5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 10<\/td>\n Collectibles<\/td>\n 14.1%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 11<\/td>\n Football\/soccer<\/span><\/td>\n 13.1%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 12<\/td>\n Reading<\/td>\n 12.3%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 13<\/td>\n Cultural events<\/span><\/td>\n 12.1%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 14<\/td>\n Golf<\/td>\n 11%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 15<\/td>\n Dining<\/td>\n 10.9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 16<\/td>\n Hunting<\/td>\n 8.8%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 17<\/td>\n Jewellery<\/td>\n 8.1%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 18<\/td>\n Fishing<\/td>\n 7.8%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 19<\/td>\n Watches<\/td>\n 7.7%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 20<\/td>\n Skiing<\/span><\/td>\n 7.2%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n <\/h3>\n
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