The world’s billionaire population has hit a record high

Despite the a rocky economy, the world’s billionaire population is at an all-time high.The 2014 Billionaire Census reported Wednesday that the worldwide population of those with wealth exceeding $1 billion has grown to 2,325, up 7 percent from last year. The United States added 57 new billionaires this year. The typical billionaire has about $3.1 billion, is male, about 63 years old, and owns four properties, each worth an average of more than $23.5 million. Just 286 of the world’s billionaires are women. Most billionaires are self-made, highlighting globalization and new, expanding markets.

It’s really the result of globalization and bigger and bigger markets for entrepreneurs, for investors, and for people who have assets and are building capital.

Michael Santoli, Yahoo Finance Senior Columnist

Asia’s uber-rich saw the largest wealth increase - accounting for almost a third of the world’s growth in net worth. Thirty-three ff the continent’s 52 new billionaires are from China. The US is the most popular country for billionaires, hosting 571. China ranks second, with 190. More billionaires now live in Europe than North America, playing home to a third of the world’s billionaire. Richest city in the world? That title goes to New York, with a grand total of 103. Moscow and and Hong Kong round out the top three.

Business billionaire