In 2017, there were 2,158 billionaires in the world, possessing a combined fortune of $8.9 trillion and an average of over $4 billion each, according to new figures by Forbes magazine.
Chinese entrepreneurs led the pack in terms of growth rate: Their number grew to 373, or 17% of all billionaires. In total, Chinese billionaires held $1.12 trillion – about 13.4% of the combined wealth held by the world's billionaires. The numbers represent a 39% increase in wealth controlled by Chinese billionaires, who have an average of about $3 billion each.
The growth rate of billionaires from Asia Pacific countries stood at 32% – in China, two billionaires were added to the list every week, but a review of the wider Asia Pacific population, more than three billionaires were added to the list every week.
In America, the billionaire growth rate was slower than the global rate by 12%, totaling some $3.6 trillion, but America still has the largest concentration of tech wealth.
The wealth held by Israeli billionaires increased by 18%, from $45 billion in 2016 to $57 billion in 2017. There were 20 billionaires in Israel in 2017, compared to 17 in 2016 – each with an average fortune of $2.4 billion.
Additionally, 80% of Israel's billionaires were self-made, compared to 68% self-made billionaires in the United States and 80% in Asia Pacific countries.
According to Forbes, the Israeli billionaires list is as follows: Real estate and shipping magnate Eyal Ofer is worth $9.4 billion; Stef Wertheimer ($5.7 billion); Shari Arison ($5.5 billion); Yitzhak Tshuva ($3.7 billion); Idan Ofer ($3.6 billion); Arnon Milchan ($3.5 billion); Teddy Sagi ($3.4 billion); Shaul Shani ($3.4 billion); Gil Shwed ($2.6 billion); Adam Neumann ($2.5 billion); Alexander Machkevich ($2.3 billion); Shmuel Harlap ($1.9 billion); Marius Nacht ($1.6 billion); Mori Arkin ($1.4 billion); Zadik Bino ($1.2 billion); Dan Gertler ($1.2 billion); Liora Ofer ($1.1 billion); Morris Kahn ($1 billion); Lev Leviev ($1 billion); Beny Steinmetz ($1 billion).
