Billionaires don’t just appear overnight—they build their fortunes in industries that shape the global economy. Some sectors, like tech and finance, are obvious wealth generators, while others, like manufacturing and retail, quietly churn out ultra-rich moguls.
According to Forbes, here are the five industries that produce the highest number of billionaires in 2024:
1. Finance & Investments – The Billionaire Breeding Ground
With 427 billionaires (15% of the global list), the finance and investment sector remains the heavyweight champion of wealth creation. These billionaires dominate stock markets, hedge funds, and financial institutions, with Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett leading the pack at a staggering $147.6 billion net worth.
Notable newcomers include Ben Navarro of Sherman Financial Group and Cristina Junqueira of Nubank. Collectively, finance billionaires hold a combined net worth of $2.17 trillion.
2. Technology – The Home of the Wealthiest Billionaires
Tech has 342 billionaires (12% of the list), but it’s the richest sector, amassing a combined net worth of $2.6 trillion. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg are key players, with Zuckerberg adding a jaw-dropping $116.2 billion to his fortune in a year.
Larry Ellison, Oracle’s co-founder, is the king of tech wealth, with a net worth of $231.3 billion. From software to AI and e-commerce, this sector continues to be a goldmine.
3. Manufacturing – The Industrial Giants
The manufacturing sector ranks third with 328 billionaires (12%), producing more newcomers than any other industry this year. These billionaires have built their wealth through industrial products, consumer goods, and machinery.
Reinhold Wuerth, chairman of Wuerth Group, leads this category with a fortune of $35.9 billion. Other notable figures include the Chao family of Westlake Corporation and Don Levin of D.R.L. Enterprises.
4. Fashion & Retail – Luxury Pays Big
With 285 billionaires (10%), the fashion and retail sector is a magnet for wealth. Think iconic brands, designer labels, and massive retail chains.
French luxury king Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH (Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Moët & Chandon), tops the list with a net worth of $157.6 billion. Christian Louboutin, famous for his red-soled shoes, is another high-profile billionaire in this sector.
5. Food & Beverage – Feeding Fortunes
This industry rounds out the top five, with 210 billionaires (8%) making their fortunes in everything from bottled water to fast food empires.
The richest in this category is Zhong Shanshan, chairman of Nongfu Spring, worth $51.2 billion. His company dominates China’s bottled water market and has expanded into pharmaceuticals.
Notable names in this space include Todd Graves, founder of Raising Cane’s, and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, who built his empire on sugar, flour, and cement.
The Billionaire Playbook
From Wall Street to Silicon Valley and luxury boutiques to food empires, these industries continue to produce the world’s wealthiest individuals. Whether it’s through smart investments, cutting-edge tech, or everyday essentials, these billionaires prove that fortune favors those who innovate, scale, and dominate their fields.
