The number of billionaires has increased in the last ten years due to the increase in demand for goods and services and the innovation in technology. Some unexpected circumstances, like the Coronavirus pandemic, have also played their role in increasing the wealth of some businessmen manifold.
But this increase in the number of wealthy individuals have remained uneven and concentrated in some countries. Not only this alone, but some businesses have produced more billionaires than others, indicating the rise of some industries in the last ten years.
Knight Frank's Wealth Report 2025 supports the above mentioned facts, which has listed the top ten industries that flourished the most in the last ten years and produced the most billionaires globally.
The report ranks the manufacturing industry at number one for being the cause behind the emergence of 509 billionaires in the last ten years. In 2024 alone, the manufacturing industry produced 46 billionaires. The rise in demand for manufactured goods due to the increase in population, especially in China and India, which have seen rapid growth of manufacturing industries in the past decade, is the main cause behind this huge number.
The technology sector follows at number two with 443 billionaires over the last decade. Technology companies, like Google, Facebook, Apple, Samsung etc., have produced the most famous billionaires, like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos etc., with new people from this sector joining the elite list almost every year due to the worldwide scope of technology. Recently, because of the rise of artificial Intelligence, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, became the latest billionaire from the tech sector.
The technology sector will keep on producing more billionaires in the coming years because of the intense competition among companies for better AI services, just like the competition between Apple and Microsoft to create a better personal computer.
Finance and investments is at the third place with 353 billionaires. Investment has always been a great way to increase one’s wealth. The rich in developed countries, like the USA and China, and in developing countries, like India, have invested their money in big projects and companies to receive a manifold profit. Again, increased investments are driven by the increased local and global demand.
Fashion and retail secures the fourth spot with 318 billionaires over the last decade. The world has seen increased access to the internet and media in the last ten years, which has also been helpful to fashion brands globally for advertisement. This has increased the access of global fashion brands and their sellings too.
The healthcare industry is at number five with 284 billionaires. Private hospitals and medical equipment industry have been successful globally due to its quality services and importance. Because healthcare is important to everyone, the healthcare industry will keep on gaining more profit in the future. The Coronavirus pandemic has already shown why this industry has increased the wealth of people involved in it and produced 284 billionaires over the last decade.
Food and beverage industry falls at number six with 277 billionaires. Food and beverage industries have become global with their chains all over the world. The industries, like Monster Beverage and Muyuan Foods, became billion dollar companies during the last decade, increasing the wealth of their CEOs a lot.
Real Estate industry is at number eight with 228 billionaires. Real Estate has a lot of potential for people trying to increase their wealth in a short period of time, especially in countries, like China and UAE, where real estate business has been booming. Chinese businessmen, Wang Jianlin and Hui Wing Mau, became billionaires through real estate business over the last ten years.
Media and entertainment and automotive industries are listed at number nine and ten with 110 and 101 billionaires respectively. The internet and cable system has increased the number of private TV channels around the world. Because these channels generate a lot of money through advertisements, their CEOs and founders have been able to become billionaires over the years. Similarly, the automotive industry in Japan, the US and Germany has generated enough wealth for 101 owners and CEOs to join the club of billionaires. The rise in the use and production of electric cars will allow many others to join this club in the coming years.
This Knight Frank’s Wealth Report also reveals which industries will be more successful in the near future and where investors should invest their money. Also, this increase in the number of billionaires in just ten years tells a lot about high demand for goods and services their companies provide.
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But this increase in the number of wealthy individuals have remained uneven and concentrated in some countries. Not only this alone, but some businesses have produced more billionaires than others, indicating the rise of some industries in the last ten years.
Knight Frank's Wealth Report 2025 supports the above mentioned facts, which has listed the top ten industries that flourished the most in the last ten years and produced the most billionaires globally.
The report ranks the manufacturing industry at number one for being the cause behind the emergence of 509 billionaires in the last ten years. In 2024 alone, the manufacturing industry produced 46 billionaires. The rise in demand for manufactured goods due to the increase in population, especially in China and India, which have seen rapid growth of manufacturing industries in the past decade, is the main cause behind this huge number.
The technology sector follows at number two with 443 billionaires over the last decade. Technology companies, like Google, Facebook, Apple, Samsung etc., have produced the most famous billionaires, like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos etc., with new people from this sector joining the elite list almost every year due to the worldwide scope of technology. Recently, because of the rise of artificial Intelligence, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, became the latest billionaire from the tech sector.
The technology sector will keep on producing more billionaires in the coming years because of the intense competition among companies for better AI services, just like the competition between Apple and Microsoft to create a better personal computer.
Finance and investments is at the third place with 353 billionaires. Investment has always been a great way to increase one’s wealth. The rich in developed countries, like the USA and China, and in developing countries, like India, have invested their money in big projects and companies to receive a manifold profit. Again, increased investments are driven by the increased local and global demand.
Fashion and retail secures the fourth spot with 318 billionaires over the last decade. The world has seen increased access to the internet and media in the last ten years, which has also been helpful to fashion brands globally for advertisement. This has increased the access of global fashion brands and their sellings too.
The healthcare industry is at number five with 284 billionaires. Private hospitals and medical equipment industry have been successful globally due to its quality services and importance. Because healthcare is important to everyone, the healthcare industry will keep on gaining more profit in the future. The Coronavirus pandemic has already shown why this industry has increased the wealth of people involved in it and produced 284 billionaires over the last decade.
Food and beverage industry falls at number six with 277 billionaires. Food and beverage industries have become global with their chains all over the world. The industries, like Monster Beverage and Muyuan Foods, became billion dollar companies during the last decade, increasing the wealth of their CEOs a lot.
Real Estate industry is at number eight with 228 billionaires. Real Estate has a lot of potential for people trying to increase their wealth in a short period of time, especially in countries, like China and UAE, where real estate business has been booming. Chinese businessmen, Wang Jianlin and Hui Wing Mau, became billionaires through real estate business over the last ten years.
Media and entertainment and automotive industries are listed at number nine and ten with 110 and 101 billionaires respectively. The internet and cable system has increased the number of private TV channels around the world. Because these channels generate a lot of money through advertisements, their CEOs and founders have been able to become billionaires over the years. Similarly, the automotive industry in Japan, the US and Germany has generated enough wealth for 101 owners and CEOs to join the club of billionaires. The rise in the use and production of electric cars will allow many others to join this club in the coming years.
This Knight Frank’s Wealth Report also reveals which industries will be more successful in the near future and where investors should invest their money. Also, this increase in the number of billionaires in just ten years tells a lot about high demand for goods and services their companies provide.
Read next:
• The Smartest CEOs in 2025: What It Takes to Be on Top
• The Hidden Health Cost of Convenience: Are Delivery Apps Sabotaging Your BMI?
• Gen Z Interest in Influencers Drops 5% but Buying Power Remains Strong
