As for billionaires? They tend to stay put.
New York is home to the most billionaires in the world. Drew Angerer/Getty
Almost a third of the world’s billionaires are concentrated in just 16 cities, according to a new analysis of the habits and patterns of the richest individuals.
Wealth-X’s Billionaire Census found that 29% of the globe’s 3,194 wealthiest people, whose collective net worth totals $11.1 trillion, live in the same handful of metropolises in 2022 as they did during the last several years.
New York City remains home to the most billionaires with 136, said the report, released Wednesday.
Other hot spots for high-net-worth folks are located across Asia, America, and the Middle East. Most of the top cities are consistent in their billionaire populations, gaining or losing one or two each between 2021 and 2022 — except for Singapore, which gained four of the world’s wealthiest over the same time period.
The number of billionaires across the globe, however, dropped 3.5% in 2022 thanks to what the study authors called “a new war in Europe, a generational surge in inflation, and deepening US-China tension.” People tied to industries including tech, retail, energy, healthcare, and transportation saw their average wealth decline by more than 5% in 2022.
Still, the report added, “the billionaire class wields a significant and still-growing influence over the global economy.”
So let’s take a tour of the 16 cities the most members of the world’s wealthiest population call home.
15. Paris (tie)
The Paris skyline at sunset. Getty Images
Billionaire population in 2022: 32
Number of billionaires lost or gained: Paris lost one billionaire between 2021 and 2022.
15. Chicago (tie)
Navy Pier in Chicago. Bob Krist/Getty Images
Billionaire population in 2022: 32
Number of billionaires lost or gained: Chicago lost one billionaire between 2021 and 2022.
14. Sao Paolo (tie)
Sao Paolo. Getty Images
Billionaire population in 2022: 33
Number of billionaires lost or gained: Sao Paolo lost one billionaire between 2021 and 2022.
13. Istanbul (tie)
Istanbul. Getty Images
Billionaire population in 2022: 33
Number of billionaires lost or gained: Istanbul’s number of billionaires stayed the same between 2021 and 2022.
12. Hangzhou, China
Hangzhou, China, is known for its network of scenic lakes. Shutterstock
Billionaire population in 2022: 34
Number of billionaires lost or gained: Hangzhou lost one billionaire between 2021 and 2022.
11. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai’s towering skyline. Kan Wang/Getty Images
Billionaire population in 2022: 38
Number of billionaires lost or gained: Dubai’s number of billionaires stayed the same between 2021 and 2022.
10. Mumbai, India
Mumbai, India. Getty Images
Billionaire population in 2022: 39
Number of billionaires lost or gained: Mumbai lost one billionaire between 2021 and 2022.
9. Shenzhen, China
Shenzhen, China. Stanley Chen Xi/Getty Images
Billionaire population in 2022: 42
Number of billionaires lost or gained: Shenzhen lost two billionaires between 2021 and 2022.
8. Singapore
Singapore’s harbor. Martin Puddy/Getty Images
Billionaire population in 2022: 54
Number of billionaires lost or gained: Singapore gained four billionaires between 2021 and 2022.
7. Los Angeles
Los Angeles. Omerali Senakayli / EyeEm / Getty Images
Billionaire population in 2022: 58
Number of billionaires lost or gained: Los Angeles lost one billionaire between 2021 and 2022.
6. Beijing
The Forbidden City complex in Beijing. Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images
Billionaire population in 2022: 61
Number of billionaires lost or gained: Beijing lost two billionaires between 2021 and 2022.
5. London
London. Shutterstock
Billionaire population in 2022: 75
Number of billionaires lost or gained: London lost two billionaires between 2021 and 2022.
4. Moscow
Moscow. Poca Wander/Getty Images
Billionaire population in 2022: 76
Number of billionaires lost or gained: Moscow gained one billionaire between 2021 and 2022.
3. San Francisco
San Francisco. Alexander Spatari/Getty Images
Billionaire population in 2022: 84
Number of billionaires lost or gained: San Francisco lost one billionaire between 2021 and 2022.
2. Hong Kong
Hong Kong. DuKai photographer/Getty Images
Billionaire population in 2022: 112
Number of billionaires lost or gained: Hong Kong lost two billionaires between 2021 and 2022.
1. New York City
New York City. Francesco Riccardo Iacomino/Getty Images
Billionaire population in 2022: 136
Number of billionaires lost or gained: New York lost two billionaires between 2021 and 2022.
