How many billionaires live among us and how much of the world's total wealth do they hold?

Answer: 2,781 billionaires

Questions:

• How does the number of billionaires compare to the total world population? What does this tell you about the rarity of becoming a billionaire?
• Reflect on how the concentration of wealth among a small number of billionaires might impact economies and societies. What are potential positive and negative effects?
• If you had the resources of a billionaire, what would you do in terms of investment, philanthropy, or business ventures? Why?

Here are the ready-to-go slides for this Question of the Day that you can use in your classroom.

Behind the numbers:

"It’s been a banner year for the mega-wealthy. Forbes found an unprecedented 2,781 billionaires around the globe for this year’s World’s Billionaires list—141 more than in 2023 and 26 more than the previous record, set in 2021. The super-rich are also richer than ever, with their combined wealth hitting $14.2 trillion—$2 trillion more than just a year ago and $1.1 trillion above the previous record, also set in 2021."

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About the Author

Ryan Wood

Ryan is the Partnerships and Adoption Manager for Next Gen Personal Finance’s midwest region. He brings his experience as a former teacher, curriculum designer, and sales and marketing professional to state organizations and school districts in supporting the implementation of their personal financial education efforts. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and earned his teaching credential from Saint Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota. He proudly taught at two rural high schools in Wisconsin before transitioning to curriculum design at NGPF, and is now excited to be on the front lines in delivering the best possible financial education in the midwest. He and his wife have three beautiful daughters, each of which inspire him to share the impact of being sound financial stewards both at home and as lifelong learners.