Trillionaire? One study says we'll see them within a decade (2024)

Bloomberg may have to rename its Billionaire Index in coming years, as the world could have its first trillionaire within the next decade, according to a new report from anti-poverty organization Oxfam International.

The prediction, which was part of the group’s annual assessment of inequities, follows a year where the world’s 10 richest people saw their collective fortunes increase by nearly half a trillion dollars. Oxfam, which has historically been critical of billionaires, pointed out the disparities between the richest slice and the rest of the world. Its report noted that the net worth of the five richest people in the world have jumped 114% since 2020, which works out to an hourly wage of $14 million per hour.

“The richest 1 percent own 43 percent of all global financial assets,” the group wrote. “If corporations were structured more democratically, that could significantly reduce inequality. For instance, if 10 percent of every business in the U.S. was employee-owned, it could double the share of wealth of the bottom 50 percent and the median wealth of Black households.”

As of today, no billionaire is within striking distance of becoming a trillionaire. Elon Musk is, at present, the world’s richest person, with a net worth of $206 billion, while Jeff Bezos is in the number two position with $179 billion, according to Bloomberg.

Of course, the idea of a billionaire was largely unthinkable a century ago. John Rockefeller, who is thought to become the first person to achieve that status, didn’t hit it until 1916.

Oxfam’s report calls for a wealth tax on the world’s richest people. The group estimates that could generate up to $1.8 trillion per year, which it suggests could be used to “invest in public services and infrastructure and to support climate action initiatives that could better everyone’s lives, not just those of the ultra-wealthy.”

At the current rate, the group says, it will take 230 years to end poverty.

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Trillionaire? One study says we'll see them within a decade (2024)

FAQs

Could the world see its first trillionaire within 10 years? ›

Oxfam also found that the five richest men globally have more than doubled their vast wealth since 2020. If current trends continue, the world will have its first trillionaire within a decade, but poverty won't be eradicated for another 229 years.

Who is likely to be the first trillionaire? ›

"Of the 21 individuals who stand a chance of reaching this phenomenal milestone in their lifetime, Elon Musk is predicted to be the first," said CEO Magazine. This prediction was reiterated by The Guardian, The Economic Times and many others.

Is anyone a trillionaire in 2024? ›

At any rate, there is no single identifiable person who seems on track to become a trillionaire within the next decade. Eventually it will happen — and a good share of the credit should go to the Federal Reserve, not necessarily the person who earned the money.

How soon will there be a trillionaire? ›

“At current rates, it will take 230 years to end poverty, but we could have our first trillionaire in 10 years,” states the report, which highlights the growing inequality alongside the staggering net worth of the five men.

Who are the six trillionaires? ›

These are the only 6 trillionaires who lived on earth from history who reached the pinnacle of wealth.
  • Genghis Khan. 1206–1227. King of Mongol Empire. ...
  • Zhao Xu. 1048–1085. ...
  • Akbar, The Great. 1542–1605. ...
  • Amenhotep III. 1388–1351 BC. ...
  • Augustus Caesar. 63 BC-14 AD. ...
  • King Solomon. 970–931 BCE. ...
  • Mansa Mousa. 1280–1337.
Jun 30, 2021

Was there ever a quadrillionaire? ›

In 1916, John D. Rockefeller became the world's first billionaire, and in the hundred years since we haven't had a trillionaire. And today, not only do we have a trillionaire, we also have the world's first quadrillionaire.

Who is closest to being a trillionaire? ›

As of today, no billionaire is within striking distance of becoming a trillionaire. Elon Musk is, at present, the world's richest person, with a net worth of $206 billion, while Jeff Bezos is in the number two position with $179 billion, according to Bloomberg.

What's bigger than a trillionaire? ›

What Is the Next Big Number After a Trillion? The next big number after a trillion is a quadrillion, which is 1,000 trillion.

Who are the only trillionaires? ›

No individual has claimed the status of trillionaire just yet. But a net worth equal to at least one trillion in U.S. dollars or a similarly valued currency isn't unattainable, but it will be a couple of years yet. Only 18 countries have a GDP that exceeds that amount. The World Bank.

Is Taylor Swift a billionaire? ›

The financial news outlet said she is the first artist to achieve billionaire status solely on the basis of her music, and estimated she has a $1.1 billion fortune.

Are there any millennial billionaires? ›

Only two young billionaires saw their fortunes drop, however; the pair—Kim Jung-youn and her older sister, Kim Jung-min—have their fortunes tied to the same company: global investment firm NXC. The youngest person on the rich list is 19-year-old university student Livia Voigt.

Who is the richest person in history? ›

However, many believe Mansa Musa's wealth outdoes that of all modern billionaires. Mansa Musa ruled over the Mali empire in the 14th Century, and his incredible access to gold made him arguably the richest human to have ever lived. So, why is it that he has largely disappeared from the western historical imagination?

What is a quadrillionaire? ›

quadrillionaire (plural quadrillionaires) Somebody whose wealth is greater than one quadrillion units of the local currency. (by extension) An extremely wealthy person.

Has a trillionaire ever lived? ›

These are just finite and limited wealth. But there were even richer people who lived in the face of the earth, with incomprehensible wealth in trillions. Today in modern times, no such trillionaires exist.

Will we see a trillionaire in our lifetime? ›

“At current rates, it will take 230 years to end poverty, but we could have our first trillionaire in 10 years,” states the report, which highlights the growing inequality alongside the staggering net worth of the five men.

Will there be a trillionaire in the future? ›

One study predicts the world will have its first trillionaire within a decade. Bloomberg may have to rename its Billionaire Index in coming years, as the world could have its first trillionaire within the next decade, according to a new report from anti-poverty organization Oxfam International.

How powerful would a trillionaire be? ›

In short, a trillionaire will be able to do these things – and more – on an unprecedented scale. Consider that owning $1 trillion would make an individual human being the 20th largest economy on the planet. One person would have more money than the entire GDP of Switzerland, and rank just behind Saudi Arabia.

Is there anything higher than a trillionaire? ›

The next big number after a trillion is a quadrillion, which is 1,000 trillion.

Is there such thing as Zillionaire? ›

Once zillion was made up as a humorous word for an indeterminately large number (patterned on million and billion), it was only a matter of time before zillionaire came along as a humorous word for a person of seemingly immeasurable wealth.

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