In 2025, the world's richest people will be concentrated in a handful of select cities, with New York City taking the lead. These cities not only show the growing power of technology and finance but also indicate the major role of AI and informatics in generating new wealth. According to Forbes reports, almost 25% of the world's 3,028 billionaires reside in just 10 cities, and these billionaires together possess an astonishing $3.3 trillion in assets.
In 2025, New York City leads as the city with the richest billionaires, boasting 123 billionaires, a 13-person increase from the previous year, and a total net worth of $759 billion. Moscow follows in second place, with 90 billionaires, up by 16 from last year, and a total net worth of $409 billion. Hong Kong ranks third, though it saw a slight decrease of 2 billionaires, bringing its total to 72 with a combined net worth of $309 billion. London is fourth, with 71 billionaires and a $355 billion total net worth, up by 9 from the previous year. Beijing is in fifth place, hosting 68 billionaires, which is an increase of 5, and a net worth of $273 billion. Mumbai follows closely in sixth with 67 billionaires, down by 2, but with a total net worth of $349 billion. Singapore holds seventh place with 60 billionaires, adding 2 to its count and a total net worth of $259 billion. Both San Francisco and Shanghai are tied in eighth place, each with 58 billionaires; San Francisco’s total net worth stands at $217 billion, while Shanghai’s is $198 billion. Finally, Los Angeles ranks tenth with 56 billionaires, an increase of 3, and a total net worth of $243 billion.
New York City remains the world's premier hub for billionaires, boasting 123 billionaires and a combined net worth of a staggering $759 billion. The city has held the top spot for nearly all of the last twelve years, with the brief exception of 2021, when Beijing overtook it. The vast majority of New York's billionaires have amassed their fortunes in finance, investing, real estate, and fashion, with the city's financial sector, in particular, standing out—68 of its billionaires have made their wealth in finance alone. Notable new additions to NYC's billionaire ranks include comedian Jerry Seinfeld, with a net worth of $1.1 billion; Steve Ells, the founder of Chipotle, valued at $1 billion; and Marc Lore, founder of Wonder, with a net worth of $2.8 billion. These figures highlight the city's ongoing appeal as a global financial and business powerhouse.
Moscow has experienced the most significant growth in its billionaire population, adding 16 new billionaires to reach a total of 90. This surge in wealth has propelled the city to surpass Hong Kong and secure the second position globally. Moscow's total wealth now stands at $409 billion, largely driven by a boom in the oil and manufacturing sectors, which has significantly boosted the fortunes of its residents. The wealthiest individual in Moscow is Vagit Alekperov, with a net worth of $28.7 billion. Among the notable new additions to Moscow’s billionaire list are Justin Sun, a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency world with a net worth of $8.5 billion, and Yang Qiumei, who inherited wealth from AI tycoon Tang Xiao'ou, with a net worth of $1.6 billion. These developments underscore Moscow's growing prominence as a global hub for immense wealth.
Despite a slight decline in its billionaire population, with a decrease of 2 billionaires, Hong Kong remains a formidable global player, hosting 72 billionaires and a total wealth of $309 billion. The city continues to attract tech billionaires and finance magnates, maintaining its status as a key wealth generation hub. Hong Kong's economic landscape has diversified, with new figures emerging from the cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence sectors, even as the overall number of billionaires has decreased. Among the key residents is Li Ka-Shing, with a net worth of $38.9 billion, while notable newcomers include Justin Sun, a prominent figure in the crypto space with a net worth of $8.5 billion, and Yang Qiumei, who inherited wealth from AI tycoon Tang Xiao'ou, with a net worth of $1.6 billion. This shift reflects Hong Kong's evolving role as a dynamic and diverse centre for wealth.
London has made a notable recovery in 2025, adding 9 billionaires to its ranks and bringing the total number to 71. With a combined net worth of $355 billion, the city has solidified its position as one of the richest global hubs. This growth can be attributed to the expansion of the investment and tech industries, which have fueled the fortunes of its residents. The wealthiest individual in London is Len Blavatnik, with a net worth of $29.9 billion. Among the new additions to the city's billionaire list are Peter Preben Wilhelmsen, with a net worth of $2.7 billion, and the heir to the Royal Caribbean fortune. These newcomers highlight London's continued appeal as a prime destination for high-net-worth individuals in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Beijing ranks fifth in 2025, with 68 billionaires and a total wealth of $273 billion. The city continues to benefit from the substantial fortunes of tech giants, including Lei Jun, the CEO of Xiaomi, whose wealth is estimated at $43.5 billion. While the overall growth has been slower compared to other cities, Beijing remains a significant generator of wealth, particularly driven by its thriving real estate and tech sectors. Notable new entrants to Beijing's billionaire list include Xu Gaoming, from Laopu Gold, with a net worth of $8.2 billion, and investor Chen Guodong, who has a net worth of $1.2 billion. These new additions further bolster the city's position as a major center of wealth in China.
Mumbai has dropped two places to sixth position in 2025, with 67 billionaires and a combined net worth of $349 billion. Despite this slight decline, the city remains a powerful economic force, with its wealth primarily driven by thriving sectors such as technology, energy, and real estate. Mukesh Ambani continues to be Mumbai's wealthiest resident, with an impressive net worth of $92.5 billion. Among the notable new additions to the city's billionaire list is the Doshi family, associated with Waaree Industries, further contributing to Mumbai's standing as a key hub of wealth in India.
Singapore made a big leap, advancing 2 positions with 60 billionaires and $259 billion in total wealth. Singapore's billionaire wealth is dominated by the tech industry, which is headed by ByteDance's Zhang Yiming ($65.5B). Zhang alone is responsible for 25% of the city's overall billionaire wealth.
San Francisco and Shanghai are tied for eighth position in 2025, each hosting 58 billionaires. San Francisco has seen a surge of AI-tech billionaires, with rapidly rising startups like Anthropic contributing to the city's growing wealth. In contrast, Shanghai continues to thrive through its focus on tech innovation and e-commerce. San Francisco's combined wealth stands at $217 billion, while Shanghai’s totals $198 billion. The wealthiest resident in San Francisco is Dustin Moskovitz, co-founder of Facebook, with a net worth of $17 billion. In Shanghai, Colin Huang, the founder of e-commerce giant Pinduoduo, leads the list with a staggering net worth of $42.3 billion. Both cities remain strong players in the global wealth landscape, driven by their thriving tech industries.
Los Angeles rounds out the top 10 cities for billionaires in 2025, with 56 billionaires and a combined net worth of $243 billion. The city's wealth is spread across a variety of industries, including entertainment, technology, and real estate, reflecting its diverse economic base. Prominent residents like Peter Thiel, with a net worth of $16.3 billion, contribute significantly to the city's financial standing. Additionally, high-profile celebrities such as Rihanna ($1.4 billion), LeBron James ($1.3 billion), Arnold Schwarzenegger ($1.1 billion), and Kim Kardashian ($1.7 billion) further enhance Los Angeles' position as a hub for both entrepreneurial and entertainment wealth. The city's blend of tech innovators and entertainment moguls solidifies its place as one of the wealthiest urban centres in the world.
