Asian Billionaires Storm Forbes Richest List

Asian magnates are the huge scorers in the annual Forbes list of the world’s billionaires, with 234 making the cut this year, compared to 130 last year. That's 23% of the 1,011 people worldwide on the list, up from 16%. And Asia is minting new billionaires like mad: Last year, just 7 of 38 newcomers to the list were from Asia. This year, it’s 62 of 97. The combined wealth of the Asians on the list more than doubled over last year, while the Europeans' rose 50% and the Americans' 18%.

China was the most dynamic in billionaire creation, Moneycontrol notes, contributing 64 to the list compared to 28 last year, and minting 27 new members. Its richest man is beverage tycoon Zong Qinghou, at 103 worldwide with $7 billion—up from a mere $1.9 billion a year ago. The richest man in Asia is India’s Mukesh Ambani, who ranks 4th worldwide with $29 billion. (More Forbes billionaire list stories.)