Table of Contents:
A steady increase in billionaires
In the last ten years, the number of billionaires worldwide has increased significantly, from 1,757 to 2,682. However, despite this increase, their overall wealth growth has shown signs of stagnation, with an increase limited to 1% since 2020. This paradox raises questions about global economic dynamics and the challenges that billionaires face in the
current environment.
Regional differences in wealth
An in-depth analysis reveals that US and Indian billionaires are experiencing a period of prosperity, while their counterparts in other regions, such as Europe and China, are struggling.
In Italy, for example, there are currently 62 billionaires with a total wealth of 200 billion euros. The situation is particularly critical for Chinese billionaires, whose wealth has fallen dramatically since the peak of 2020, falling from 2.1 trillion dollars to 1.8 trillion dollars
.
Growing and declining sectors
The UBS report highlights that the technology sector has seen an exponential increase in the wealth of billionaires, tripling its value since 2015. This phenomenon is attributable to the innovation and digitalization that have characterized recent years. On the contrary, the real estate sector has shown signs of stagnation, influenced by factors such as rising interest rates and corrections in the Chinese real estate market. The prospects for the real estate sector remain uncertain, but 43% of billionaires expect to increase their exposure in this area in the next 12 months
.
Investment strategies and diversification
In a context of economic uncertainty, billionaires are reviewing their investment strategies. Many of them intend to increase investments in safe haven assets such as gold and precious metals, while others are focusing on alternative assets to diversify their portfolios. 38% of respondents said they want to increase their investments in private equity, while 27% plan to reduce investments in hedge funds. This evolution in investment preferences reflects a more cautious and strategic approach, in response to global economic challenges
.
Emigration of billionaires and new destinations
Another interesting phenomenon is the emigration of billionaires, with 176 of them having moved to countries such as Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and the United States in the last four years. This migration has led to a significant transfer of capital, with total assets exceeding 400 billion dollars. The Middle East and Africa region has attracted the largest number of billionaires, suggesting that these areas are becoming new centers of
wealth and opportunity.
