Bill Gates increased his lead at the top of the megarich ranking as the world's wealthiest people added 400 billion dollars to their net worth, according to Forbes magazine's annual list. The number of people whose wealth reached 10 figures stood at a record 793, an increase of 102 from the previous year, with Microsoft founder Gates in first place for the 12th straight year.
His 50 billion dollar fortune increased by 3.5 billion dollars from the 2005 Forbes list.
The magazine said strong markets around the world contributed to the surge in wealth, as the total net worth of the list jumped to 2.6 trillion dollars -- more than the annual GDP of Germany.
"Making a billion just isn't what it used to be," observed Forbes Associate Editor Luisa Kroll, who noted that the number of billionaires had grown by more than 300 in the past three years.
While US names accounted for nearly half the fortunes on the roster, this year's ranking was notable for the influx of newcomers from Brazil, India, Russia and other emerging economies.
Oil baron and Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich whose 18.2 billion dollars saw him jump 10 places to 11th in the global ranking.
"Why is the list growing? The answer is an obvious one -- the global economy is growing," said Forbes editor-in-chief Steve Forbes.
"In the last few years the global economy has grown at rates not seen since the end of World War II. It is phenomenal and it's been fuelled by a commodities boom," Forbes said.
The summit of the cash mountain had a familiar look with Gates followed by investment wizard and perennial runner-up, Warren Buffett, with a 42-billion-dollar fortune. Buffett's pile has fallen by two billion dollars however.
Mexican telecom magnate Carlos Slim Helu jumped a place to third with 30 billion dollars, Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad of Sweden moved up two spots to fourth with 28 billion dollars.
Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal dropped two places to fifth with 23.5 billion dollars -- down 1.5 billion dollars.
Newcomers to the top 10 chart included the French luxury retailer Bernard Arnault who made seventh spot with 21.5 billion dollars, and Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing in 10th place with 18.8 billion dollars.
Hind Hariri, the 22-year-old daughter of slain Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri, beat out Germany's Prince Albert von Thurn und Taxis by eight months for the title of the world's youngest billionaire.
At the other end of the age spectrum was American John Simplot, 96, who made his fortune processing potatoes.
Thirty-nine people fell off the Forbes list, victims of market forces, dubious ethics and, in 11 cases, death.
Notable disappearances included US lifestyle guru Martha Stewart, who debuted on the list last year despite serving a five-month prison term, and then found that freedom doesn't pay as her net worth declined to 500 million dollars after her release.
Jailed Russian oil baron Mikhail Khodorkovsky -- last year's biggest loser -- dropped off the list altogether this time around.
The 2006 roster counted billionaires from 49 countries, with the Czech Republic making its first appearance, and New Zealand and Lebanon both returning after an absence of several years.
The United States boasted 371 names on the list with a collective net worth of 1.1 trillion dollars, while Europe's 196 billionaires enjoyed combined wealth of 802 billion dollars.
Europe's rising star was Russia, with 33 names including seven new faces.
"Russia continues to astound," said Kroll. "For a long time there were questions about where they got their money ... but now the story is just the enormous wealth that is being created from strong commodities markets there."
In the Asia-Pacific region -- home to 115 billionaires -- the standout was India which added 10 new faces to total 23 on the list with a combined worth of 99 billion dollars -- 60 percent more than last year.
China saw its presence in the rankings grow from just two billionaires last year to eight.
Of the 793 who made the global list, 452 were self-made billionaires, while the number of women increased by 10 from the previous year to 78.
New York has the highest number of resident billionaires with 40, Moscow is second with 25 and London third with 23.
