The global billionaire population reached a record 3,795 in 2025, up 8.2%, while combined wealth rose 12.8% to $15.1 trillion, according to wealth intelligence firm Altrata’s Billionaire Census 2026. The headcount increase was the strongest in five years and capped a decade in which the billionaire population grew nearly 60%. Altrata linked much of the gain to the artificial intelligence investment boom, noting that among 150 publicly listed companies driving the largest billionaire wealth gains, those that spent at least $30 million on AI over the previous five years recorded market capitalization growth 23% faster than peers between 2024 and 2025. Wealth concentration also intensified: 29 superbillionaires, defined as people worth more than $50 billion, held $4.1 trillion, or 27.2% of all billionaire wealth, compared with 7.2% held by 10 such individuals in 2017. North America remained the largest billionaire region, with 1,337 people after an 11.6% increase, followed by Europe with 1,081 and Asia with 881. Altrata’s Maya Imberg said technology-focused fortunes could fluctuate with the AI cycle. The report also projects that $6.6 trillion in billionaire wealth will pass to nearly 5,000 direct heirs over the next decade, with women expected to account for 90% of spousal heirs. All major asset classes tracked by Altrata posted positive returns in 2025, while separate UBS research found global personal wealth rose 10.8% even as median wealth declined in most countries.