The Digester

Forbes’ 2026 World’s Billionaires list, using March 1 market data, shows a historic rise in both the number of billionaires and their combined wealth led by Elon Musk and tech firms.

Forbes counted a record 3,428 billionaires in 2026, up 400 from 2025.
Collective billionaire wealth reached $20.1 trillion, a $4 trillion increase year over year.
The United States leads with 989 billionaires and 15 of the top 20 richest people.
China, including Hong Kong, has 610 billionaires while India ranks third with 229.
Elon Musk tops the list at $839 billion, well ahead of the second place holder, Larry Page, at $257 billion.
Technology and AI-related companies dominate the top ranks and are a major driver of the wealth gains, with rankings based on stock prices and exchange rates as of March 1, 2026.

Forbes 2026: Record 3,428 billionaires hold $20.1 trillion

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