China had the largest increase in billionaires on Forbes’ 2021 World’s Billionaires list.
Forbes counted 626 billionaires in China in the 2021 edition, up from 389 in the previous year. That increase of 237 people was the largest national rise in the ranking. The figures refer to Forbes’ country classifications and wealth estimates at the time of publication.
China’s rapid growth in technology, manufacturing, consumer services, health care, and other sectors helped create substantial new fortunes. Rising financial markets also affected the estimated value of stakes held by existing billionaires.
The result is not the same as asking which country had the most billionaires overall. The United States held the largest total in the 2021 list, while China recorded the biggest year-over-year increase. Forbes’ counts can also change with citizenship, residence, and the treatment of Hong Kong-based individuals.