RIYADH: With 15 billionaires listed on Forbes’ global 2025 list, the most significant number in the region, Saudi Arabia has cemented its status as the Arab world’s preeminent centre for billionaires. The wealth of the Saudis featured in Forbes’ World’s Billionaires ranking came to $55.8 billion, which accounted for 43.4 percent of the total net worth of all Arab billionaires. With a net worth of $16.5 billion, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is the richest person in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world.
There are now 38 Arab billionaires in the Middle East and North Africa region, dispersed over nine nations. They have a combined fortune of $128.4 billion, more than twice the $53.7 billion they made the previous year.
The number of billionaires worldwide has risen above 3,000 for the first time, totalling 3,028 people, up 247 from 2024. Additionally, their net worth has increased to $16.1 trillion, up about $2 trillion from the previous year. With 902 billionaires, the US continues to lead, followed by China and India.
Chase Peterson-Withorn, Forbes senior editor of wealth, stated: “And, from Elon Musk to Howard Lutnick and the other billionaires taking over the U.S. government, they’re growing more and more powerful.” “It’s another record-breaking year for the world’s richest people, despite financial uncertainty for many and geopolitical tensions on the rise,” he added.
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