Source: Altrata Billionaire Census 2026 | Sep 1, 2026｜Commerce Wire
HONG KONG — Global wealth‑intelligence firm Altrata has released its flagship Billionaire Census 2026. Defining billionaires as individuals with net worth of USD 1 billion or above, the report counts 106 billionaires residing in Hong Kong in 2025, placing the city second worldwide, only behind New York with 164 billionaires.
While Hong Kong’s billionaire headcount fell by two year‑on‑year, their aggregate net worth advanced 4 % to USD 319 billion (approximately HK$2.48 trillion). Among the world’s top‑15 billionaire hubs, only Hong Kong and London recorded declines in billionaire numbers; London totalled 79 billionaires (‑1), while Singapore rose to 75 (+12), ranking fifth globally.
Worldwide, the billionaire population hit an all‑time high of 3,795 in 2025, up 8.2 % year‑on‑year — the strongest annual gain in five years. Their combined wealth surged 12.8 % to USD 15.1 trillion. The report identifies the AI‑investment boom as a major wealth‑creation engine: listed companies with substantial AI exposure delivered 23 % higher market‑cap growth than peers, and many new billionaires emerged from AI‑related sectors.
Altrata’s analysis attributes Hong Kong’s slight drop in billionaire count to persistent weakness in local real‑estate markets and comparatively limited AI‑driven upside within local‑billionaire portfolios. Even so, Hong Kong retains its standing as a leading international wealth‑management hub. Deeper capital‑market integration with mainland China unlocks substantial wealth opportunities, alongside corresponding geopolitical‑risk exposure. More than 60 % of Hong Kong‑based billionaires were born outside the city, underscoring its role as an open global wealth magnet.
The institute notes that sharp swings in AI‑linked equities will keep billionaire net worth volatile in coming years, while massive inter‑generational wealth transfers over the next decade will reshape Asia’s wealth landscape.