The World's Billionaires (country list)

[Clearday-TRForce]

COUNTRY / BILLIONERS
Australia-14
Austria-3
Belgium-1
Argentina-1
Brazil-16
Canada-23
Chile-4
China-45
Colombia-2
Czech Republic-1
Denmark-1
Egypt-4
France-12
Germany-49
Greece-5
Hong Kong-33
Hungary-1
Iceland-1
India-50
Indonesia-3
Ireland-5
Israel-7
Italy-12
Japan-25
Kazakhstan-8
Kuwait-4
Lebanon-3
Malaysia-7
Mexico-10
Monaco-4
Netherlands-3
New Zealand-3
Nigeria-1
Norway-4
Philippines-2
Poland-6
Portugal-4
Romania-2
Russia-82
Saudi Arabia-13
Scotland-2
Singapore-8
South Africa-3
South Korea-11
Spain-18
Sweden-6
Switzerland-27
Taiwan-7
Thailand-3
Turkey-36
Ukraine-7
United Arab Emirates-6
United Kingdom-49
United States-460
Venezuela-2



Europe Rank:

1* Russia - 82
2* UK - 49 / Germany - 49
3* Turkey - 36
4* Switzerland - 27
5* Spain - 18
6* Italy - 12


After 13 years on top, Bill Gates is no longer the richest man in the world. That honor now belongs to his friend and sometimes bridge partner Warren Buffett.

Riding the surging price of Berkshire Hathaway stock, Buffett has seen his fortune swell to an estimated $62 billion, up $10 billion from a year ago.

Gates is now worth $58 billion and is ranked third richest in the world. He is up $2 billion from a year ago, but would have been as rich--or richer--than Buffett, had Microsoft not made an unsolicited bid for Yahoo! at the beginning of February. Mexican telecom mogul Carlos Slim Helú now ranks as the world's second richest person with a net worth of $60 billion.

MORE...
http://www.forbes.com/home/lists/2008/03/05/richest-people-billionaires-billionaires08-cx_lk_0305billie_land.html



regards,
CDTRF

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

Just imagine if each billionaire gave 10 million dollars how much good it would do help in the battle against poverty.

[Shadowstorm]

Yeah, I know.

[Clearday-TRForce]

Just imagine if each billionaire gave 10 million dollars how much good it would do help in the battle against poverty.

10 ml dollars is so limited money, because there are almost around 1200 billioners in the world. So few for world population. Must be taken more than 10 mls.

[SBL]

Just imagine if each billionaire gave 10 million dollars how much good it would do help in the battle against poverty.

Where would this money be going, exactly?

[Russian_dude]

Just imagine if each billionaire gave 10 million dollars how much good it would do help in the battle against poverty.

Then they will have to do that again next year... but 11 million, since the poor procreate like rabbits.

Give helping hands, not handouts.

[Shadowstorm]

One of those 460 billionaires in the United States lives in my hometown. Warren Buffet or the "Oracle of Omaha".

[Rudolph]

The numbers are probably MUCH higher, if put into context for each country. Take away the Dollar sign, and relate the billion to the living cost of each country.... The rich cannot fix this world, and they don't owe anyone anything.

[Tebryn]

Just imagine if each billionaire gave 10 million dollars how much good it would do help in the battle against poverty.

Imagine if each 6 billion poors gives me 1 dollar... But it will never happen, those poors are just too selfish.

[IDF_TANKER]

One of those 460 billionaires in the United States lives in my hometown. Warren Buffet or the "Oracle of Omaha".
He bought an Israeli company last year for 4 billions, making a billionaire one of the Israelis on this list.p-)

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

The numbers are probably MUCH higher, if put into context for each country. Take away the Dollar sign, and relate the billion to the living cost of each country.... The rich cannot fix this world, and they don't owe anyone anything.

Like ****.

Practically all the bad things in this world are directly or indirectly related to these rich ****s. Poor working conditions, slavery, pollution, war, hunger and poverty.

[Stonewall71]

The numbers are probably MUCH higher, if put into context for each country. Take away the Dollar sign, and relate the billion to the living cost of each country.... The rich cannot fix this world, and they don't owe anyone anything.

except what they stole to become rich....

[Kilgor]

Just imagine if each billionaire gave 10 million dollars how much good it would do help in the battle against poverty.

http://www.gatesfoundation.org/MediaCenter/FactSheet/default.htm

Number of employees: approximately 520
Asset trust endowment: $38.7 billion**
Total grant commitments since inception: $16.3 billion
Total 2007 grant payments: $2.007 billion

[toki]

Little Trivia:

No. 10 and 16 are brothers.
Albrecht (Germany - 'Aldi'/'Trader Joe').
AFAIK they don't talk to each other.
And little is known about them.

[Rudolph]

except what they stole to become rich....

Reminds me of that John Wayne quote: "I have found a certain type calls himself a liberal . . . Now I always thought I was a liberal. I came up terribly surprised one time when I found out that I was a right-wing conservative extremist, when I listened to everybody's point of view that I ever met, and then decided how I should feel. But this so-called new liberal group, Jesus, they never listen to your point of view . . ."

Guess I'm a right-wing extremist, with a good heart. p-)

[Macs.]

Just imagine if each billionaire gave 10 million dollars how much good it would do help in the battle against poverty.

...or maybe 10% of your wealth ? Or if the money you waste on latex clothes, you would actually use to help the poor poor people, how much would that help ? Or the PC you use to write this message. I bet that could feed a familiy in Boogawaggawagg for 1 year.


Like ****.

Practically all the bad things in this world are directly or indirectly related to these rich ****s. Poor working conditions, slavery, pollution, war, hunger and poverty.

Oh god, that is all so easy.

Seriously Minardiau, how old are you ? 15 ?

[Rudolph]

...or maybe 10% of your wealth ? Or if the money you waste on latex clothes, you would actually use to help the poor poor people, how much would that help ? Or the PC you use to write this message. I bet that could feed a familiy in Boogawaggawagg for 1 year.



Oh god, that is all so easy.

Seriously Minardiau, how old are you ? 15 ?

Macs, I fully agree. I've got three words: Natural selection, Darwinism.

[DanteXavier]

except what they stole to become rich....

Not all of them stole to get where they are.

That being said, I don't think anybody needs $62 billion, but if they have it then they just have it. I like the idea of income equality just as much as the next guy, but their wealth doesn't necessarily mean they're thieves, and you can't take it away from them.

[Stonewall71]

Not all of them stole to get where they are.

That being said, I don't think anybody needs $62 billion, but if they have it then they just have it. I like the idea of income equality just as much as the next guy, but their wealth doesn't necessarily mean they're thieves, and you can't take it away from them.

As long as they pay taxes as all other people , in accordance with their income OK;

[Rudolph]

Not all of them stole to get where they are.

That being said, I don't think anybody needs $62 billion, but if they have it then they just have it. I like the idea of income equality just as much as the next guy, but their wealth doesn't necessarily mean they're thieves, and you can't take it away from them.

Agreed. Although I'd like to believe that I'd spend most of it on giving bursaries to as many 3rd World teens as possible.

[J-10]

COUNTRY / BILLIONERS
2* Russia-82

Europe Rank:
1* Russia - 82

Russia rise fleetly!

[hank]

That being said, I don't think anybody needs $62 billion, but if they have it then they just have it. I like the idea of income equality just as much as the next guy, but their wealth doesn't necessarily mean they're thieves, and you can't take it away from them.

This post isn't directed at you, DX, but you are the one that mentioned "having" $62BB so I quoted you. Nobody on this list actually "has" $62B. Billionaires inevitably start a company that blows up and they own an asset or assets that make them fabulously wealthy. I've read many articles about Warren Buffett and he loathes hoarding cash. All his wealth is tied up in his ownership in companies, etc. I heard an interview from one of his grandaughters and he has explained to all his heirs that he will pay for their education but will not leave them anything in a will. All his wealth will go to charity upon his death.

Gates actually dealt with a lot of tax problems when he created his foundation. Billionaires are not typically very "liquid" and often have trouble turning wealth into cash without facing huge tax problems. These foundations that they create are often the only way they can give without facing debilitating tax bills.

I remember when Ted Turner gave $1B to a charity (and I don't remember which one). He actually didn't give any money. He gave stock in various companies. Why? If he sold that stock he'd have to pay untold millions in taxes. But the charity can take the stock and sell it or borrow against it without incurring any tax liabilities. "Giving" away $1B in the form of stock didn't effect Turner's liquidity in any way. He didn't even feel it.

hank

[Solomin]

There are 2 important things I feel obliged to add to this thread without getting into some Free Market Vs. Bolshevik BS debate against a kid in high school.

1.) In order to be employed you need an employer. The poor do not employ anyone.

2.) It's also important to remember most people, especially the wealthy, don't bury their money in a shoe box in their back yard. They keep it in banks, stocks, mutual funds, bonds etc, those holdings don't just sit, they further investment which employs people.

[vinko]

Little Trivia:

No. 10 and 16 are brothers.
Albrecht (Germany - 'Aldi'/'Trader Joe').
AFAIK they don't talk to each other.


no. 5 and no. 6 too

4 indian in top 10. new world order is now reality

[Afro-European]

Russia: 82 billionaires in just 16 years of "democracy" and privatization. That went very fast.Wow :roll:.Yet the gap between richs and poors are still very wide.Need to close it.


COUNTRY / BILLIONERS
2* Russia-82

Europe Rank:
1* Russia - 82

Russia rise fleetly!

[Clearday-TRForce]

Turkey is position also very good. There are many business Turkish woman billioners;

Serra Sabanci
http://images.forbes.com/media/lists/10/2008/RK57.jpg

Sema Isil Dogan
http://images.forbes.com/media/lists/10/2008/LKQK.jpg

Hanzade Dogan Boyner
http://images.forbes.com/media/lists/10/2008/4IDW.jpg

Begumhan Dogan Faralyali
http://images.forbes.com/media/lists/10/2008/DK6I.jpg

Deniz Sahenk
http://images.forbes.com/media/lists/10/2008/9XCD.jpg

Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag
http://images.forbes.com/media/lists/10/2008/6XJU.jpg

Vuslat Dogan Sabanci
http://images.forbes.com/media/lists/10/2008/FS3S.jpg

Filiz Sahenk
http://images.forbes.com/media/lists/10/2008/CUBR.jpg

Suna Kirac
http://images.forbes.com/media/lists/10/2008/4I8R.jpg

Semahat Arsel
http://images.forbes.com/media/lists/10/2008/F03V.jpg


The missing thing that I notice, these numbers must be more bigger than "36" for Turkey, at least other 10 people I can easily add...

[Somalimafia]

Does this list include south american drugs lords, mafia bosses, scientology leaders, cult founders, terrorist group leaders, the Pope, mp.net slush fund or Macs.?

[Clearday-TRForce]

Does this list include south american drugs lords, mafia bosses, scientology leaders, cult founders, terrorist group leaders, the Pope, mp.net slush fund or Macs.?


maybe you don't know what you guess, their money can flow the billioners pocket...who knows? p-)

[FelixA9]

Just imagine if each billionaire gave 10 million dollars how much good it would do help in the battle against poverty.


Provided you could avoid corruption. Large wads of cash going to help the needy have a way of sticking to the pockets of the fat cats in charge.

[Solomin]

Just imagine if each billionaire gave 10 million dollars how much good it would do help in the battle against poverty.

Dave Chappelle knows...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heSlK6W0l5w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mUjTI_0Zzk

[MaDuce]

Just imagine if each billionaire gave 10 million dollars how much good it would do help in the battle against poverty.

A lot more big screen TV's and gold chains would be sold in the US.

[ViktorNavorski]

Just imagine if each billionaire gave 10 million dollars how much good it would do help in the battle against poverty.Just imagine each one of those billionaire having thousands of multi-nationals and businesses that employed millions of people. Then their companies, them and their employees paying large sum of taxes. A good deal of this world prosperity and I have no doubt a large chunk of charities are already dependent on those people.

[Dercius]

They should "buy" poor countries (you know there is a lot of corruption going on in certain placesrofl) and develop them. Running a country like a factory??? who knows if it will work and give profits at the end.

[Andromeda]

Just imagine if each billionaire gave 10 million dollars how much good it would do help in the battle against poverty.


Why just them? Thinking yesterday as I watched the report of the generous campaign donations made by individuals to the pres. candidates I though, if only they did the same no one person in america would be below the poverty line. I mean I thought we were in recession so aren't people suppose to be more stringent with their cash? Ironic. Off topic i know dont kill me.

[kosse]

They should "buy" poor countries (you know there is a lot of corruption going on in certain placesrofl) and develop them. Running a country like a factory??? who knows if it will work and give profits at the end.

It's been tried already. They even recycled ze unnecessary workforce in nice little recycling centers. Very efficient p-)

[JoaMei]

Just imagine if each billionaire gave 10 million dollars how much good it would do help in the battle against poverty.

Giving food to the poor and uneducated will just increase the procreation rate and make the problem worse.

Education is the solution.

There should be a huge Internet knowledge base with schoolbooks available online from elementary school to university with all topics.

Knowledge is the most Valuable thing that exists.

Wikipedia is not capable to provide that, it just answers specific questions.

[DanteXavier]

This post isn't directed at you, DX, but you are the one that mentioned "having" $62BB so I quoted you. Nobody on this list actually "has" $62B. Billionaires inevitably start a company that blows up and they own an asset or assets that make them fabulously wealthy. I've read many articles about Warren Buffett and he loathes hoarding cash. All his wealth is tied up in his ownership in companies, etc. I heard an interview from one of his grandaughters and he has explained to all his heirs that he will pay for their education but will not leave them anything in a will. All his wealth will go to charity upon his death.

Gates actually dealt with a lot of tax problems when he created his foundation. Billionaires are not typically very "liquid" and often have trouble turning wealth into cash without facing huge tax problems. These foundations that they create are often the only way they can give without facing debilitating tax bills.

I remember when Ted Turner gave $1B to a charity (and I don't remember which one). He actually didn't give any money. He gave stock in various companies. Why? If he sold that stock he'd have to pay untold millions in taxes. But the charity can take the stock and sell it or borrow against it without incurring any tax liabilities. "Giving" away $1B in the form of stock didn't effect Turner's liquidity in any way. He didn't even feel it.

hank

That makes things quite bit clearer. Thanks for the explanation.:)

[DanteXavier]

Turkey is position also very good. There are many business Turkish woman billioners;

The missing thing that I notice, these numbers must be more bigger than "36" for Turkey, at least other 10 people I can easily add...

Same stories for some other nations. If you count the folks in some parts of Africa who don't necessarily earn their money legitimately, then you could add another 3-5 people to the list for places like Nigeria.

[DanteXavier]

Dave Chappelle knows...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heSlK6W0l5w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mUjTI_0Zzk

The guy is right to. Let's face it-many of those people don't have more than a few thousand dollars to their name right now, and so many of them already waste that money on frivolous things rather than actually investing it.

[deagle]

i wonder what the poverty rates are in those countries , does forbes investigate such an article ?

[Flagg]

This post isn't directed at you, DX, but you are the one that mentioned "having" $62BB so I quoted you. Nobody on this list actually "has" $62B. Billionaires inevitably start a company that blows up and they own an asset or assets that make them fabulously wealthy. I've read many articles about Warren Buffett and he loathes hoarding cash. All his wealth is tied up in his ownership in companies, etc. I heard an interview from one of his grandaughters and he has explained to all his heirs that he will pay for their education but will not leave them anything in a will. All his wealth will go to charity upon his death.

Gates actually dealt with a lot of tax problems when he created his foundation. Billionaires are not typically very "liquid" and often have trouble turning wealth into cash without facing huge tax problems. These foundations that they create are often the only way they can give without facing debilitating tax bills.

I remember when Ted Turner gave $1B to a charity (and I don't remember which one). He actually didn't give any money. He gave stock in various companies. Why? If he sold that stock he'd have to pay untold millions in taxes. But the charity can take the stock and sell it or borrow against it without incurring any tax liabilities. "Giving" away $1B in the form of stock didn't effect Turner's liquidity in any way. He didn't even feel it.

hank

Bingo!

In my experience with estate planning........charitable foundations can be outsandingly positive vehicles to legally avoid paing tax by directly donating money to charitable organizations.

On the other hand I've seen how it can be an equally outstanding way to avoid paying taxes by transferring control(ownership in everything but name)to descending generations.

I am of the belief that the recent and huge transfers made by Warren Buffett in particular is not a coincidence in regards to likely future taxation(next 5-10 years)....it's not just his age making him do it....most people think a month ahead...he's thinking a century

Have a look at who gains control of his charitable orgs...it's not just Bill and Melinda......it's ALL his kids too!

What do the trust/foundation documents say?

It's possible donations could be slowed to a trickle......assets nurtured and grown, and financial benefits for descendants(sorry trust/foundation staffers!) grown into perpetuity with "staff" changed with the generations. :)

It's the best way for wealthy to give back and it's the best way for the wealthy to maintain their dynasty.

you are spot on about wealthy not usually sitting on heaps of cash......they are generally asset and credit line rich but cash(not cash-flow) poor(relatively speaking).

But I am seeing wealthy going very cash heavy(or more accurately cash-like )in the past year.....real sea-change

[DanteXavier]

i wonder what the poverty rates are in those countries , does forbes investigate such an article ?

Google is your friend. And so is the CIA.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html

You can find some rough indications of poverty rates there by country.

[FIA_cn]

Speak: BUSNIESS !!

[KillerBD]

Imagine if each 6 billion poors gives me 1 dollar... But it will never happen, those poors are just too selfish.

I know, I feel your pain too. :hug: p-)

[ren0312]

They should "buy" poor countries (you know there is a lot of corruption going on in certain placesrofl) and develop them. Running a country like a factory??? who knows if it will work and give profits at the end.

Well someone has tried this before.........................................

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congo_Free_Statep-)

[Angelino]

Little Trivia:

No. 10 and 16 are brothers.
Albrecht (Germany - 'Aldi'/'Trader Joe').
AFAIK they don't talk to each other.
And little is known about them.

#5 and #6 on the list are also brothers and they don't talk to each other either. The same was true with Adolph (Adi) and Rudolph (Rudi) Dassler as well, who went on to found Adidas and Puma. Their feud was so legendary that it spilled into the town of Herzogenaurach (where both companies were located) to the point where employees of one company would not talk to employees from the other company and they each had their own bars, schools, hotels, restaurants, barber shops etc.

John Harvey Kellogg and his brother Will also had a legendary feud.

[Curtis E. Bear]

Turkey-36

Kind of surprising.

[Noble713]

Like ****.

Practically all the bad things in this world are directly or indirectly related to these rich ****s. Poor working conditions, slavery, pollution, war, hunger and poverty.

Sure....because 10,000 years ago when there were no rich people at all, these things didn't exist right?:roll:

[derkrieger]

Turkey-36

Kind of surprising.
It is not. It is just an indication that welfare is not shared equitably among the citizens in some countries.
Russia Turkey and India e.g. have their "new-riches" while the majority of the population has worse living standards than those of "normal" citizens of some other countries which dont have that many billionairesbut have a better social structure.

[derkrieger]

I did not directly speak about what you said I was implying. I pointed to a well known fact that some countries have such high number of billionaires, which however is not commensurate with that of the overall development level of that said country.
Just compare the living standard of an ordinary German with that of an ordinary Russian, Turk or Indian.
Thanks for the link BTW I could not watch till the end, to much buffering!!! but sounds interesting and will take a look again.

and please stop being an ass as u are writing here, will you jackass?

[deli_dumrul]

I did not directly speak about what you said I was implying. I pointed to a well known fact that some countries have such high number of billionaires, which however is not commensurate with that of the overall development level of that said country.
Just compare the living standard of an ordinary German with that of an ordinary Russian, Turk or Indian.
Thanks for the link BTW I could not watch till the end, to much buffering!!! but sounds interesting and will take a look again.


I think it is just an indication of a booming economy. It is only normal that the rich are going to reap the benefits before the ordinary joe. At the end of the day, their success will translate into improvements for the whole community, this is just a start.

Check out what is expected of those economies that you listed:

The World in 2050

http://www.smith.umd.edu/ciber/pdfs_docs/size_of_emerging_economics_march_2006.pdf

@Cralis

Very informative video, thanks for posting.

[Saubaatzi]

#5 and #6 on the list are also brothers and they don't talk to each other either. The same was true with Adolph (Adi) and Rudolph (Rudi) Dassler as well, who went on to found Adidas and Puma. Their feud was so legendary that it spilled into the town of Herzogenaurach (where both companies were located) to the point where employees of one company would not talk to employees from the other company and they each had their own bars, schools, hotels, restaurants, barber shops etc.

John Harvey Kellogg and his brother Will also had a legendary feud.


unfortunately for you, i spent my first 20 years of life in "herziaura" as its called in the local dialect and therefore i know that this is nonsense.
you are right about the feud, the brothers and their sons hated each other to death but that had no impact on the people there. and this "had their own schools" is just rubbish, due to the fact that our schools are state run and you normally go to that school which is next to your living place.
well, and, herzogenaurach has just two elemantary schools: one for the kids from the town and the second for the village people p-)

I'm sorry if that was off topic, but i had to make things clear about my hometown :)

[TallGuy]

Even though he went down 58 places from last year he's still richer than Donald Trump, Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey. :lol:

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/7673/22505206en7.jpg

[Aerosoul]

I read an article earlier about Trump, and he apparently disputes the figure at which he's "appraised". He says he's worth $7B, while Forbes says $3B. But that's Trump for you.

Anyway. It's interesting to see this list each year.

They've earned their money, they can do with it as they please. Some people don't know what they're talking about when it comes to the wealthy. There is a lot more generosity than is seen.

[little icebear]

Google is your friend. And so is the CIA.


I had to qoute this one! :D

[Love Cyprus]

It would be good if each of those people buy football teams so we would not need Premier League for watching quality football.