Moscow is now home to the most billionaires, with 79, followed by New York with 58, Forbes said in its annual list of the world’s richest people.
The world’s richest man, Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim, retained his crown for the second year. He made more money than any of the other 1,209 billionaires in the past year; $20.5 billion, taking his fortune to $74 billion.
The magazine said China nearly doubled its number of billionaires to 15, while Russia and Brazil posted two-thirds jumps to 101 and 30, respectively.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates held on to second place, growing his wealth to $56 billion from $53 billion last year, and investor Warren Buffett again came in third, with $50 billion, up from $47 billion. .
“The global economy is recovering, but it is not all spread across the board,” said Forbes Chief Executive Steve Forbes. “Yes, there are increases in Europe, but primarily it is Russia. The United States barely registered an increase.”
The number of total U.S. billionaires rose to 413 from 403, including three new Facebook billionaires: Sean Parker, Eduardo Saverin and Dustin Moskovitz.
