Super billionaires quadruple share of global wealth in a decade, report finds
A new report from Altrada shows the world's 29 super billionaires now hold 27% of all billionaire wealth, while the average billionaire age is 71 and nearly 40% inherited at least part of their fortunes.
The world's wealthiest individuals are getting richer at a pace that far outstrips the rest of the billionaire class, according to the 2026 Billionaire Census Report from global wealth intelligence company Altrada. The number of so-called super billionaires — those with more than $50 billion — has grown to 29 worldwide, up from just 10 in 2017. While this elite group represents only 0.7% of the billionaire population, it now controls 27% of all billionaire wealth, a share that rose by 16.3% in just two years.
The report highlights what it calls the hyper concentration of global wealth at the very top. Members of this top tier have recorded by far the most dynamic wealth generation over the past decade, the report states. Meanwhile, the broader billionaire class also expanded in 2025, growing by 8.2% with 287 new entrants, largely driven by gains from artificial intelligence investments. The world now counts 3,795 billionaires, an all-time high.
Despite the rising number of billionaires, the report notes that the distribution of wealth remains heavily skewed. The vast majority of billionaires — 82% — fall into the lower wealth brackets of $1-2 billion or $2-5 billion. The United States leads the world with 1,265 billionaires holding a combined $6,688 billion, followed by China with 363 billionaires and $1,438 billion, and Germany with 221 billionaires and $806 billion.
The demographic profile of the super-rich also challenges popular perceptions of young tech founders or influencers. The average age of a billionaire is 71, and nearly half of all billionaires are over 70. Only about 9% are aged 50 or younger. Gender imbalance remains stark, with women making up just 13% of the billionaire class.
While 62% of billionaires are considered self-made, the report finds that inheritance plays a significant role in the accumulation of extreme wealth. Nearly 40% of the world's wealthiest individuals achieved billionaire status at least in part due to inherited money. This trend points to a looming intergenerational transfer of assets as older billionaires age.
Altrada projects that $6.6 trillion will be handed down globally over the next decade. In North America alone, billionaires are expected to transfer $3.3 trillion by 2035. The report suggests that as the over-70 cohort passes on its fortunes, younger generations stand to inherit substantial sums, potentially reshaping the landscape of global wealth in the years ahead.
