Austerity? World Now Has 1,426 Billionaires

The world now has a record 1,426 billionaires with a combined wealth of $5.4 trillion (£3.6trn), according to a new survey.

The 2013 Forbes annual billionaires issue said a total of 210 new billionaires have been added to the list, with their wealth up $800bn (£530bn) on the previous year.

Mexico's telecoms entrepreneur Carlos Slim continued to top the list with a net worth of $73bn, up $4bn in the previous 12 months.

Zara fashion chain boss Amancio Ortega moved up two spots to number three, with a net worth of $57bn, to sit behind Microsoft (NasdaqGS: MSFT - news) founder Bill Gates.

The surprise shift was for veteran American investor Warren Buffett, who dropped from second to fourth place with $53.5bn - even though he increased wealth by $9.5bn in the year.

It was the first time since 2000 that Mr Buffett failed to make the top three in the list.

The 1,426 billionaires have an average wealth of $3.8bn, up $100m on the 2012 list.

The US continues to lead with 442 billionaires, followed by 386 in the Asia-Pacific region.

There are 366 ultra-rich on the list in Europe, with 129 in The Americas and 103 in the Middle East and Africa.

Forbes said here was a 32% increase in the number of female billionaires, with 138 now on the list.

The richest woman in the world, worth an estimated worth of $30bn, is Liliane Bettencourt - whose father foundered cosmetics giant L'Oreal.

Italian fashion head Miuccia Prada ranks 79 on the list with $12.4bn, just slightly behind Facebook (NasdaqGS: FB - news) founder Mark Zuckerberg's $13.3bn position at 66.

Britain's richest man, the Duke of Westminster, is listed as the 89th richest person with $11.4bn.

Sir Richard Branson is ranked 272 on the list with $4.6bn - behind Topshop's Sir Philip Green at 248 with $5bn.