- The world's wealth is becoming increasingly concentrated among the richest billionaires.
- The combined fortunes of the world's 26 richest people is greater than all of the wealth owned by world's poorest 3.8 billion people, according to a January report by poverty-focused non-profit network Oxfam.
- Billionaires added an average of $2.5 billion to their collective fortunes every day in 2018, bringing their share of the world's wealth to $1.4 trillion, according to Oxfam.
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The world's richest people are steadily getting richer, but the world's poorest are not, a report by poverty-focused non-profit network Oxfam revealed.
Billionaires added an average of $2.5 billion to their collective fortunes every day in 2018, bringing their share of the world's wealth to $1.4 trillion, according to Oxfam. That is the same amount of wealth controlled by the world's poorest 3.8 billion people.
The world's wealth is increasingly concentrating among top billionaires. In 2017, it would have taken 42 of the world's wealthiest people to match the wealth of the world's poorest 4 billion people, Oxfam reported.
Ahead, meet 10 of those 26 people that have more wealth than half the world's population, per Forbes' Billionaire List. Note, however, that there are some discrepancies between this list and another prestigious wealth ranking, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index; Bloomberg lists Bill Gates as the world's richest man and omits its founder, Michael Bloomberg.
SEE ALSO: Here's exactly how much money each of America's 10 wealthiest people gave away to charity in 2018
10. Michael Bloomberg
Net worth: $55.6 billion
Source of wealth: Financial media
Bloomberg is the most recent addition to the already-crowded field of 2020 Democratic presidential candidates, Insider's Eliza Relman reported. The multibillionaire made his fortune from Bloomberg LP, the media company he cofounded that now brings in $10 billion in annual revenue, Business Insider's Katie Warren and Emmie Martin previously reported.
Bloomberg is currently the richest person in New York and the ninth-richest person in the nation, Martin and Warren reported.
Bloomberg is largely self-financing his campaign, and is prepared to spend $100 million on his bid for the 2020 Democratic nomination, CNBC reported in 2018.
9. Larry Page
Net worth: $61.1 billion
Source of wealth: Google
The former CEO of Alphabet and cofounder of Google is the world's 10th richest person with a net worth of $61.1 billion, Forbes estimates.
8. Carlos Slim Helu and family
Net worth: $62.7 billion
Source of wealth: América Móvil
Carlos Slim Helu controls Latin America's largest mobile telecom firm, América Móvil, and is an honorary chairman, Business Insider previously reported. Helu also owns stakes in various mining, real estate, and consumer goods businesses — including The New York Times. He is the richest man in Mexico.
7. Larry Ellison
Net worth: $67 billion
Source of wealth: Oracle
In 1977, Larry Ellison co-founded the software company Oracle, which originally was launched with $2,000 of funding, $1,200 of which came out of Ellison's own pocket. Ellison stepped down as CEO in 2014, but continues to be involved with the company, Business Insider previously reported.
6. Mark Zuckerberg
Net worth: $72.4 billion
Source of wealth: Facebook
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg founded the social media platform in his Harvard dorm room 15 years ago and has since become one of the richest people in the world. He and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have committed to giving away 99% of their wealth before they die.
5. Amancio Ortega
Net worth: $74.8 billion
Source of wealth: Zara
Amancio Ortega is the wealthiest man in retail and cofounded fashion retailer Zara's parent company Inditex in 1975, according to Forbes. His real-estate portfolio includes properties in London, New York, Madrid.
4. Warren Buffett
Net worth: $88.9 billion
Source of wealth: Berkshire Hathaway
Wildly successful investor Warren Buffett is the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, which owns over 60 companies, Business Insider previously reported. Although he still lives a somewhat modest lifestyle, he became a billionaire at age 32. In 2010, Buffett, alongside Bill Gates, created The Giving Pledge, promising to donate at least half of their fortunes to charities.
3. Bernard Arnault
Net worth: $107.5 billion
Source of wealth: LVMH
Bernard Arnault has been the CEO of LVMH, which houses brands such as Louis Vuitton, Sephora, and Dom Perignon, since 1989, Business Insider previously reported. Combined, the brands under LVMH brought in nearly $53 billion in revenue in 2018.
2. Bill Gates
Net worth: $107.6 billion
Source of wealth: Microsoft
Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft in 1975 and has continued his involvement with the company as a technology advisor and board member. Gates also has investments in Canadian National Railway, AutoNation, and more, Business Insider previously reported. He and his wife Melinda founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which aims to help kindergarten through 12th grade students in the US.
1. Jeff Bezos
Net worth: $110 billion
Source of wealth: Amazon
Founder and CEO of Amazon.com, Jeff Bezos owns nearly 17% of the company, Business Insider previously reported. In 2013, he purchased the Washington Post for $250 million, and he also owns an aerospace company, Blue Origin.