NEW DELHI: India became home to the most billionaires in Asia, pushing Japan back to the No. 2 spot, according to Forbes magazine's 2007 rankings of the world's richest people.
Lakshmi N. Mittal, the London-based steel magnate who spearheaded the takeover of European steel maker Arcelor SA, was the richest Asian — and the world's fifth-wealthiest — with a net worth estimated at US$32 billion, the magazine said.
India added 14 new billionaires since last year to bring its total on the list to 36 with a combined wealth of US$191 billion, Forbes said, contrasting sharply with the 400 million Indians who still live on less than a dollar a day.
Japan's 24 billionaires had an estimated combined net worth US$64 billion, according to the list, while Hong Kong came in the third spot with 21 billionaires, and China was fourth with 20.
Globally, the number of billionaires reached a record 946, Forbes said.
Courtesy : Herald Tribune
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