The annual Forbes World’s Billionaires list has revealed that finance and investments remain the most common route to becoming a billionaire, with nearly 15% of billionaires coming from this industry. This includes individuals from countries around the world, such as Estonia, Kazakhstan, Japan, and the United States. Newcomers to the list this year include Ben Navarro, Cristina Junqueira, and Antonio Gracias, with a combined worth of $2.17 trillion. Warren Buffett saw a significant increase in his net worth, adding $27 billion thanks to record-high share prices for Berkshire Hathaway.
Technology is the second most popular industry for billionaires, with 342 individuals making the list. Jeff Bezos remains the richest tech tycoon, followed by Mark Zuckerberg, whose wealth increased by $116.2 billion. Tech billionaires have a combined worth of $2.6 trillion, making them the richest among industries. Manufacturing saw the most newcomers this year, with 328 billionaires in this sector. Notable new entrants include Albert Chao, James Chao, and Dorothy Chao Jenkins, who own stakes in Westlake Corporation, a producer of low-density polyethylene.
Fashion and retail come in fourth, with 285 billionaires on the list, including Christian Louboutin, founder of the famous red-sole shoe brand. The food and beverage industry counts 210 billionaires, including newcomer Todd Graves of Raising Cane’s. The top 10 industries for billionaires in 2024 include finance and investments, technology, manufacturing, fashion and retail, food and beverage, diversified, healthcare, real estate, media and entertainment, and energy. Each industry is represented by a billionaire with a significant net worth, such as Warren Buffett, Jeff Bezos, and Bernard Arnault.
The Forbes World’s Billionaires list showcases the diversity of industries that produce the world’s wealthiest individuals. While finance and investments remain a common path to billionaire status, other industries such as technology, manufacturing, fashion and retail, and food and beverage also play significant roles. With new entrants joining the list every year, the landscape of billionaire wealth continues to evolve, reflecting changes in global markets and consumer trends. The top 10 industries for billionaires highlight the wealth and influence of individuals across various sectors, from technology and manufacturing to healthcare and real estate.
