Countries with the most billionaires 2024: India's position is the biggest surprise!

The world's richest billionaires have immense financial power and influence in shaping and changing global economies and industries. From technology industrialists like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos to luxury goods tycoons like Bernard Arnault, these individuals have amassed exceptional amounts of wealth through innovation, entrepreneurship, and strategy.

The recently released 2024 Forbes list of billionaires has brought forth some unexpected changes, with India's position as a big surprise. The list has been historically dominated by the United States and China, and it now shows India's quick stand in the global wealth hierarchy.

This is a major contrast to previous years and also brings to the forefront, the country's billionaires, including Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani who have amassed substantial wealth, and show India's increasing influence on the global stage. Here are the top 10 countries with the most billionaires according to the Forbes

At the top of the list is the US, which has 813 billionaires compared to 735 last year with a combined net worth of $5.7 trillion. The richest individual in the nation remains Elon Musk, whose net worth is $195 billion.

Despite a decrease in the number of billionaires, China remains at the second spot with 406 billionaires, which dropped to 495 last year. Their cumulative net worth amounts to $1.3 trillion, down from $1.67 trillion. China's richest person is Zhong Shanshan, whose net worth is $62.3 billion

India has jumped to the third position with 200 billionaires, up from 169 last year. The total net worth of Indian billionaires is $954 billion which is a major increase from $675 billion. Mukesh Ambani, with a net worth of $116 billion, is the richest person in India.

With 132 billionaires, up from 126 last year, Germany ranks fourth. The total net worth of German billionaires is $644 billion, which is up from $585 billion in the past year. Klaus-Michael Kuehne is the richest individual in Germany with a net worth of $39.2 billion.

Russia has 120 billionaires, up from 105 last year, with a total net worth of $537 billion, an increase from $474 billion last year. Vagit Alekperov, who has a net worth of $28.6 billion, is the richest person in Russia.

The number of billionaires in Italy has increased to 73 from 64 in the previous year, with an aggregate net worth of $302 billion, up from $216 billion. The richest person in Italy is Giovanni Ferrero with a net worth of $43.8 billion.

There are 69 billionaires in Brazil, which is 18 people up from 51 last year, with a combined net worth of $231 billion, up from $160 billion. The wealthiest individual in Brazil is Eduardo Saverin, with a net worth of $28 billion.

Canada has 67 billionaires which is 4 people up from 63 last year, with a total net worth of $315 billion, from $245 billion from last year. David Thomson and his family are the wealthiest in Canada with a net worth of $67.8 billion,

Hong Kong has 67 billionaires, up from 66 last year, with a total net worth of $330 billion, down from $350 billion. Li Ka-shing is Hong Kong's richest person with a net worth of $37.3 billion.

The UK has 55 billionaires, up from 52 last year, with a total net worth of $225 billion, up from $202 billion. Michael Platt, who has a net worth of $18 billion, is the wealthiest individual in the UK.