Forbes counted 2,781 billionaires worldwide in its 2024 World’s Billionaires list.
The 2024 edition identified 2,781 people with estimated fortunes of at least $1 billion. Forbes said their combined wealth reached about $14.2 trillion, a record at the time. The total rose as strong markets and valuable holdings increased the number of people above the billionaire threshold.
Forbes builds the ranking from publicly traded shares, private-company valuations, real estate, cash, debt, and other reported assets. Because the calculations are estimates, the list should not be read as a precise accounting ledger. A person can move up or down even without buying or selling anything if the value of a major holding changes.
The 2024 number also includes billionaires from many industries and countries, not just technology. Luxury goods, finance, manufacturing, retail, food, entertainment, and inherited family holdings all contributed to the total. It is distinct from Forbes’ country-specific and celebrity rankings.