The Global Payroll Association (GPA) reveals that the world's 100 richest billionaires hold a combined fortune of over $5 trillion, with women making up just 15% of the list.
US billionaires hold $2.5 trillion of the global total, followed by France ($463bn), India ($359bn), China ($258bn), and Russia ($176bn). No UK billionaire ranks among the top 100.
Technology is the leading wealth sector, contributing $1.5 trillion, with 60% of the world's ten richest billionaires making their fortunes in tech.
Fashion & Retail follows tech with $944bn, then Finance & Investments ($643bn), Diversified Portfolios ($527bn), and Automotive ($272bn).
Women make up just 15% of the top 100 billionaires, holding a combined $587bn, while the 85 men amass $4.4 trillion.
Francoise Bettencourt, heir to L'Oréal, is the richest woman at No. 15 with $99.5bn. On average, male billionaires hold $52.2bn, compared to $39.1bn for women.
Melanie Pizzey, CEO and Founder of the Global Payroll Association, highlights the vast wealth disparity among the world's richest:
“These 100 individuals hold a staggering $5 trillion—1% of all personal wealth worldwide. Yet, the gender gap remains stark: just 15 women compared to 85 men, with most female billionaires inheriting their fortunes rather than building them from scratch.
In contrast, the list is filled with self-made male billionaires, underscoring that despite progress, true gender equality hasn’t reached the ultra-wealthy. Why haven’t self-made women broken into this elite group? It’s certainly not due to a lack of skill, ambition, or work ethic—so what barriers still remain?”