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Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia: There are 2,153 billionaires on the 2019 list of Forbes 33rd annual ranking of the world's billionaires, down from 2,208 in 2018. The total combined net worth of this year's billionaires is $8.7 trillion, down from $9.1 trillion in 2018.
This represents the first decrease in billionaires and their combined wealth since 2016 and only the second decrease in the past decade, said American business magazine Forbes, which featured the planet's wealthiest individuals.
According to a press release from the global media company, a record 994 individuals are worth less than a year ago; last year only 360 members got poorer. The average net worth of this year's billionaires is $4 billion, down from $4.1 billion in 2018. Of the total, 1,450 members are self-made.
"The billionaire ranks prove that even the world's richest are not immune to economic forces and the volatility of world markets. Yet, even with strong headwinds, resourceful and relentless entrepreneurs find new ways to get rich," said Luisa Kroll, Assistant Managing Editor of Wealth, Forbes.
"Of note this year was the large number of drop-offs in China, and the weakening of the euro vs. the dollar, which pushed down the dollar value of European fortunes," said Kerry A. Dolan, Assistant Managing Editor of Wealth, Forbes.
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