The 2024 Forbes billionaires' list has revealed a significant increase in the number of female billionaires, with 369 women making the cut, representing 13.3% of the total 2,781 billionaires. This marks a notable rise from 2023, when 337 women were featured on the list, accounting for 12.8% of the total.
The combined wealth of these female billionaires has reached an unprecedented nearly $1.8 trillion, an increase of approximately $240 billion compared to last year. This growth is driven by factors such as surging stock values and inheritances, with 46 women making their debut on the list this year.
The United States tops the list with 119 female billionaires, followed by China with 44, and Germany with 35. The top 10 countries with the highest number of female billionaires are the United States, China, Germany, Italy, India, Brazil, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Sweden, and France.
For the fourth consecutive year, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, the L'Oréal heiress from France, remains the world's richest woman, with a net worth of $99.5 billion, marking the largest gain among women on the 2024 list. Her fortune surged by $19 billion over the past 12 months.
This growth in female billionaires is a significant indicator of the progress women are making in innovation and business. As women continue to shatter barriers and make remarkable progress, their presence in the Forbes billionaires' list is expected to continue to rise.
The 2024 Forbes billionaires' list also highlights the growing wealth of billionaires globally, with 141 newcomers joining the list, bringing the total to 2,381 members. The combined wealth of billionaires across the world has reached an unprecedented $14.2 trillion, an increase of $2 trillion from 2023 and $1.1 trillion above the previous record set in 2021.
This trend is expected to have significant implications for industries such as finance, investing, retail, clothing, and manufacturing, where female billionaires are leading the way. As women continue to make strides in entrepreneurship and innovation, their presence in the Forbes billionaires' list is likely to continue to grow, shaping the future of business and wealth creation.
In conclusion, the 2024 Forbes billionaires' list marks a significant milestone in the growing presence of female billionaires, with a collective net worth of nearly $1.8 trillion. As women continue to break barriers and make remarkable progress, their impact on the business world is expected to be felt for years to come.