Multibillionaires are becoming more diverse and mobile. However, the transfer of wealth is shifting the focus away from securing wealth.
The number of billionaires has risen by 8.8 percent to almost 3,000 this year.
In the process, 196 self-made billionaires contributed around 386.5 billion dollars to global wealth, which rose to a record 15.8 trillion dollars.
Entrepreneurs in the spotlight
This is according to the Billionaire Report 2025, which was released today by the major bank UBS. This increase in wealth is the second highest in the history of the eleven-year report, it added.
In contrast to the asset-driven increase in 2021 following the coronavirus pandemic, this growth was driven by bold start-ups and entrepreneurial successes, the major bank explained.
From marketing software and genetics to liquefied natural gas and infrastructure, these innovators are changing demand in their fields on a global scale.
This is particularly true among billionaires in the US and the Asia-Pacific region. Europe is clearly lagging behind in this respect.
Philanthropy more important
The rise of a new generation of wealth creators and inheritors is changing the global landscape, UBS explained in this year’s analysis.
As families become increasingly international and the large transfer of wealth accelerates, the focus is shifting from purely preserving wealth to empowering the next generation to be successful both independently and responsibly.
This is influencing not only succession planning, but also philanthropic priorities and long-term investment decisions, UBS added.
The combination of entrepreneurial drive and the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth in history is creating new opportunities. But also challenges for families and wealth managers alike, the major bank warned.
In 2025, 91 individuals inherited a record 297.8 billion dollars, which was 36 percent more than in 2024, even though fewer people inherited overall.
According to estimates, billionaires worldwide will transfer approximately 6.9 trillion dollars in assets by 2040. At least 5.9 trillion dollars from this wealths being passed on directly or indirectly to their children via their spouses.
But are these new ultra-rich individuals and families sharing their massive wealth quickly enough back into societies and communities by various philanthropic endeavours?
Thats a big question and challenge of the ultra riche and the world.
Old wealth in new hands
The number of multi-generational billionaires also rose worldwide.
The number of second-generation billionaires increased by 4.6 percent, and the number of third-generation billionaires by as much as 12.3 percent.
And the number of fourth-generation billionaires and beyond still increased by 10 percent.
Old wealth is thus passing into new hands in the form of ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWIs).
Turning away from the US
In terms of investment priorities, North America remains the most popular investment destination in 2025 despite market volatility, with 63 percent.
This is followed by Western Europe with 40 percent and China with 34 percent.
Against the backdrop of renewed confidence in China and Asia as a whole, however, 42 percent of billionaires planned to expand their investments in emerging market equities over the next 12 months, the analysis found.
At the same time, it is clear that the US is losing ground. Western Europe and China, as well as the Asia-Pacific region in general, are the ones gaining attention.
December 4th, 2025/kut./ena.
