World's billionaire population skyrockets

[Joanne98]

World's billionaire population skyrockets
Ranks of the ultra-rich rose 15% last year, as stock markets and emerging economies paid off big. Of course, some weren’t so lucky: One’s in a Siberian prison.

By Forbes

Making a billion just isn’t what it used to be.

In our inaugural ranking of the world’s richest people 20 years ago, we uncovered some 140 billionaires. This year the list is a record 793, up 102 from last year.

They’re worth a combined $2.6 trillion, up 18% since last March. Their average net worth: $3.3 billion. Strong stock markets around the world (the U.S. being the notable exception) contributed to this surge in wealth.

India, whose BSE Sensex market was up 54% in the past 12 months, is home to 10 new billionaires, more than any other country besides the U.S. Notable newcomers include Kushal Pal Singh, India’s biggest real estate developer; Tulsi Tanti, a former textile trader whose alternative energy company owns Asia’s largest wind farm and Vijay Mallya, the liquor tycoon behind Kingfisher beer.
http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/invest/forbes/P146582.asp?Printer

And the rich get richer GLOBALLY!

[Orrin_73]

1. You are right

there were a few billionaires in Turkey in 2004, in 2005 there were 21!!!!! While the average Turk makes barely enough to make it through the month.

[smtpgirl]

2. and us little people

are doing the drudgery of keeping the US afloat, should we revolt and stop paying taxes?