The United States continues to hold the foremost position in worldwide wealth generation, as its population of billionaires has grown and their collective net worth has dramatically increased during the preceding twelve months, as indicated by UBS Global Wealth Management’s 2025 publication of its Billionaire Ambitions findings. This report discloses that the wealth held by U.S. Billionaires saw a rise of nearly one-fifth (18% from the previous year) reaching an astonishing $6.9 trillion in 2025.
TL;DR
- US billionaires' wealth rose 18% to $6.9 trillion in 2025, with 924 individuals.
- Global billionaire count reached 2,919 with $15.8 trillion in assets, driven by tech and AI.
- The US expects $2.8 trillion of the $5.9 trillion global wealth transfer in 15 years.
- Female billionaires saw median wealth grow 8.4%, outpacing men, with inheritance a key factor.
This substantial increase contributed to the worldwide count of billionaires reaching 2,919 individuals, who collectively possess a record $15.8 trillion in assets. The United States is currently home to 924 billionaires, accounting for almost one-third (31.7%) of all billionaires globally. The expansion observed in the Americas, spearheaded by the U.S., resulted in a rise of 15.5% in total billionaire assets within the region, reaching $7.5 trillion.
An exceptional year for innovation and escalating financial asset values were the primary forces behind the significant surge in U.S. Wealth, according to the Swiss bank's findings. The United States saw 109 new individuals join the billionaire club, far exceeding the 18 who either fell below the mark or died. This expansion was substantially supported by personal achievement, with 87 newly minted U.S. Billionaires contributing $171.9 billion to the total new wealth generated in the Americas.
The technology sector played a crucial role in this growth, UBS added, with tech billionaires globally seeing their assets increase by 23.8% to $3 trillion. This surge in tech wealth is closely linked to the appreciating values of companies driving the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, such as Nvidia, Oracle, and Meta.
The fortunes of six American technology magnates collectively grew by $171 billion from the prior year. This surge in entrepreneurial activity resulted in 2025 marking the second-greatest influx of self-made billionaires ever documented in this report, surpassed only by the exceptional market conditions of 2021, highlighting extensive business development across various industries.
That year, 360 self-made billionaires represented $782 billion, a “exceptional rise [that] resulted from asset price appreciation in a period of ample financial liquidity following the Covid-19 pandemic.” The outcome in 2025 was more attributable to “widespread business creation,”, according to UBS. The study revealed that the annual count of newly created billionaires surged approximately eight times, from 35 in 202 to 287 in 2025, with their wealth expanding by about 9x, moving from $74.6 billion to $684.3 billion.
The Coming Transfer of Wealth
As American business owners focus on generating fresh fortunes, the long-awaited “great wealth transfer” is picking up speed. Worldwide, an estimated $5.9 trillion is projected to be passed down to children of billionaires within the coming 15 years. From this sum, no less than $2.8 trillion is anticipated to transfer to American inheritors throughout this timeframe. This estimate is probably understated, as it omits the potential growth of asset values in the future.
The analysis points out that households are growing more globalized with escalating wealth movement, however, the actual inheritance is anticipated to be focused within a limited group of economies, spearheaded by the U.S.
According to the report, women who are billionaires experienced significant advancements in 2025. Although there are a total of 374 female billionaires worldwide, contrasting with 2,545 male billionaires, their median wealth increased by 8.4% to $5.2 billion during 2025, which is more than double the 3.2% median growth rate observed for men. This reflects an ongoing pattern, as the median wealth of female billionaires has been escalating at a quicker pace for each of the four years since 2022. A contributing factor to this is inheritance, with a greater number of women acquiring billionaire status through inheritance than through any other method in 2025. UBS's findings indicated that out of the 43 women who achieved billionaire status that year, 27 inherited their wealth while 16 built their fortunes independently.
Even with substantial inheritances planned, surveyed billionaires indicated a significant wish for their offspring to attain achievements on their own. A considerable majority, over 80% (82%), of the individuals polled anticipate their children will cultivate the essential abilities and principles required for prosperity without exclusively depending on the family's riches. Furthermore, more than half (55%) desire their inheritors to leverage their financial resources for beneficial global contributions.
Moreover, individuals with substantial fortunes exhibit considerable mobility, as 36% of respondents indicated they had moved at least once, with an additional 9% contemplating a relocation. The primary drivers for changing residence are associated with an improved standard of living (36%), considerations regarding global politics (36%), and optimizing their financial arrangements for tax purposes (35%). This significant propensity to relocate might well reshape the geographical distribution of where substantial assets are ultimately passed on.
An online poll of 87 wealthy individuals with a net worth of a billion dollars or more, alongside detailed discussions conducted over multiple weeks during September and October, contributed to the creation of this report.
