Hong Kong nailed 3rd spot in world's top billionaires list

After 54 individuals raked in more than $1.5bn each.

According to the Hurun Global Rich List 2013, Asia is home to the highest number of billionaires this year with most of them operating in real estate sector. The total wealth of the 1453 billionaires amounted to a staggering US$5.5 trillion, the equivalent of China’s GDP.

The survey says that Asia has 608 individuals included in the top billionaires' list, followed by North America with 440 billionaires and Europe 324.

By country, the US was home to 409 billionaires, comfortably ahead of the 317 from China. Between the US and China, they now have half of all billionaires on the planet.

In Hong Kong, 54 individuals made it to the list with most billionaires coming from the real estate industry. The wealthiest individual in this category is HK-based Li Ka-shing.

Seven of the Top 10 real estate tycoons in the world are living in China, predominantly in HK but also with two from mainland China, a reflection of the urbanisation boom of the last generation.

Two of the other three are from the UK and one from the US.

Carlos Lim (Mexico) is the richest man on planet with US$66 BN, followed by Warren Buffet (USA) on US$58BN.

Moscow is the billionaire capital of the world, home to 76 billionaires, edging out New York which has 70. London came in at fifth place behind HK and Beijing. Five of the Top Ten cities for billionaires are in Greater China.

Table 1 shows the breakdown of billionaires per city and country.