Forbes World’s Billionaires List 2025

Forbes World’s Billionaires List 2025: 

India solidified its position as a global economic powerhouse, housing 205 billionaires in the 2025 Forbes World’s Billionaires List, trailing only the U.S. and China. Despite a slight dip in collective wealth, the country’s elite continue to dominate global rankings, with Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani leading the pack.

India’s Billionaire Landscape: Key Highlights

• Total Billionaires: 205 (up from 200 in 2024).
• Combined Net Worth: $941billion(downfrom$954 billion in 2024).
• Global Rank: 3rd, behind the U.S. (735 billionaires) and China (492 billionaires).

Mukesh Ambani: India’s Wealthiest, Despite $23.5B Drop

Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, retained his title as India’s richest person but saw his global rank slip from 9th to 18th due to a sharp decline in net worth:

• 2025 Net Worth: $92.5billion(downfrom$116 billion in 2024).
• Primary Cause: Falling shares of Reliance Industries amid market volatility.

Gautam Adani: Second-Richest Indian Amid Challenges

Gautam Adani, head of the Adani Group, secured the second spot among Indian billionaires but faced significant setbacks:

• 2025 Net Worth: $56.3billion(downfrom$77 billion in 2024).
• Global Rank: 48th, impacted by stock fluctuations in Adani Group companies.

Top 10 Richest Indians in 2025

1. Mukesh Ambani: $92.5B (Reliance Industries)
2. Gautam Adani: $56.3B (Adani Group)
3. Savitri Jindal & Family: $35.5B (Jindal Steel & Power)
4. Shiv Nadar: $34.5B (HCL Technologies)
5. Dilip Shanghvi: $24.9B (Sun Pharmaceuticals)
6. Cyrus Poonawalla: $23.1B (Serum Institute of India)
7. Kumar Birla: $20.9B (Aditya Birla Group)
8. Lakshmi Mittal: $19.2B (ArcelorMittal)
9. Radhakishan Damani: $15.4B (Avenue Supermarts)
10. Kushal Pal Singh: $14.5B (DLF Limited)

Global Billionaire Boom: Record Highs

The 2025 Forbes list shattered records:

• Total Billionaires: 3,028 (first time crossing 3,000).
• Combined Wealth: $16.1 trillion (up 7% from 2024).
• Top Global Billionaire: Elon Musk ($342B),followedbyBernardArnault($245B) and Jeff Bezos ($198B).

Why India’s Wealth Dipped?

• Market Volatility: Reliance and Adani Group shares faced headwinds, eroding $20B+ from Ambani and Adani’s fortunes.
• Regulatory Shifts: Stricter ESG norms and geopolitical tensions impacted conglomerate valuations.

The Bigger Picture

India’s billionaire count growth reflects its thriving tech, pharma, and renewable energy sectors. However, wealth concentration remains a debate, with the top 10 Indians controlling over 25% of the country’s total billionaire wealth.

Final Takeaway:
While India’s ultra-rich navigate market turbulence, their global influence continues to rise. For more insights on wealth trends and rankings, stay tuned to Forbes’ annual updates.

Disclaimer

1. Data Source: This article is based on Forbes’ publicly released 2025 Billionaires List. Figures are approximate and subject to stock market fluctuations.
2. Net Worth Estimates: Wealth calculations reflect Forbes’ methodology and may differ from other publications.
3. Not Financial Advice: This content is for informational purposes only. Consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
4. Dynamic Rankings: Billionaire rankings change frequently; verify updates from Forbes directly.
5. Third-Party Links: This article is not affiliated with Forbes or the individuals mentioned.

FAQ: Forbes 2025 Billionaires List

1. Why did Mukesh Ambani’s net worth drop?

Ambani’s wealth fell due to a decline in Reliance Industries’ share price, driven by slower growth in Jio’s telecom segment and rising competition in retail.

2. How does India rank globally?

India is 3rd, behind the U.S. (735 billionaires) and China (492).

3. Who are the fastest-rising Indian billionaires?

• Cyrus Poonawalla (Serum Institute): Gained $3B due to vaccine demand.
• Savitri Jindal (Steel & Power): Wealth rose 12% with infrastructure growth.

4. Why did Gautam Adani’s ranking fall?

Adani Group faced investor skepticism post-Hindenburg allegations, impacting stock valuations.

5. Which sectors created the most Indian billionaires?

• Pharma (e.g., Dilip Shanghvi).
• Renewable Energy (e.g., Green Adani ventures).
• Tech & Retail (e.g., Shiv Nadar, Radhakishan Damani).

6. How many new billionaires joined India’s list?

5 new entrants, including Nykaa’s Falguni Nayar and Zomato’s Deepinder Goyal.

7. What is the global billionaire trend?

A record 3,028 billionaires (up 6% from 2024), fueled by AI, space tech, and luxury markets.