World's billionaire population skyrockets

World's billionaire population skyrockets
Ranks of the ultra-rich rose 15% last year, as stock markets and emerging economies paid off big. Of course, some weren’t so lucky: One’s in a Siberian prison.

By Forbes

Making a billion just isn’t what it used to be.

In our inaugural ranking of the world’s richest people 20 years ago, we uncovered some 140 billionaires. This year the list is a record 793, up 102 from last year.

They’re worth a combined $2.6 trillion, up 18% since last March. Their average net worth: $3.3 billion. Strong stock markets around the world (the U.S. being the notable exception) contributed to this surge in wealth.

India, whose BSE Sensex market was up 54% in the past 12 months, is home to 10 new billionaires, more than any other country besides the U.S. Notable newcomers include Kushal Pal Singh, India’s biggest real estate developer; Tulsi Tanti, a former textile trader whose alternative energy company owns Asia’s largest wind farm and Vijay Mallya, the liquor tycoon behind Kingfisher beer.
http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/invest/forbes/P146582.asp?Printer

And the rich get richer GLOBALLY!

there were a few billionaires in Turkey in 2004, in 2005 there were 21!!!!! While the average Turk makes barely enough to make it through the month.

are doing the drudgery of keeping the US afloat, should we revolt and stop paying taxes?