The planet has more billionaires than ever before. According to a new report, the total wealth of the super-rich is growing, but that doesn’t mean wealth is being spread evenly across the population—or across generations for that matter.
In fact, a large percentage of billionaires are well into their golden years.
The data comes from the 2026 Billionaire Census Report, conducted by the global wealth intelligence company Altrada.
Most billionaires fall into the relatively lower categories of wealth. People in the $1-2 billion category or the $2-5 billion category make up a large majority of the billionaire class at 82%, according to the report.
However, the number of those at the very top who have achieved “super billionaire” status, is growing.
Globally, there are 29 super billionaires who each have more than $50 billion.
“Members of this elite tier have recorded by far the most dynamic wealth generation over the past decade, underlining the hyper concentration of global wealth at the very top,” the report explains.
The group makes up only 0.7% of the billionaire population, but it holds 27% of all billionaire wealth, a number that rose by 16.3% in two years.
Back in 2017, there were only 10 super billionaires.
More people joining the billionaires club
In 2025, the number of billionaires in the world rose by 8.2%, for an addition of 287 individuals who achieved billionaire-level wealth, largely a result of AI investments.
The world now has 3,795 billionaires, an all-time high, the report says.
Still, while there are more billionaires and more super billionaires than ever, that doesn’t mean that the world is getting wealthier.
Most of the wealth is held by U.S. billionaires, where 1,265 individuals have $6,688 billion. The United States is trailed by China, which has $1,438 billion spread over 363 billionaires. Germany came in third with 221 billionaires who have $806 billion.
Most of the super wealthy are not famous pop stars or young influencers who have managed to slay the algorithm. They are filthy-rich men of a certain age.
The average age of billionaires is 71, according to the report. And almost half of all billionaires are over the age of 70. Only around 9% are 50 and under, Altrada reveals.
Gender imbalance
Unsurprisingly, billionaires are mostly male, as women make up just 13% of the billionaire class.
And, while 62% of billionaires are self-made, a large portion of them didn’t earn their wealth whatsoever, or didn’t earn it without a hefty inheritance that set them up for success.
Overall, nearly 40% of the world’s wealthiest individuals achieved billionaire status, at least in part, due to inheritance.
While the over 70s are hoarding the world’s wealth, given that they can’t live forever (unless anti-aging technology advances more quickly), that will begin to shift in the years ahead.
When it does, younger generations stand to inherit a very pretty penny. Globally, a total of $6.6 trillion is expected be handed over in the next decade. In North America alone, billionaires are expected to transfer $3.3 trillion by 2035.