Forbes 2010 List of Billionaires

In the Forbes list of world's richest in 2010, Carlos Slim Helu, the Mexican telecom magnate adorns the top-most position pushing Bill Gates and Warren Buffet to second and third positions respectively. Slim's wealth is estimated at $53.5 billions whereas the two Americans together are credited with $100 billion. In the fourth and fifth positions are two Indians: Mukesh Ambani and Lakshmi Mittal. Though the largest number of billionaires are still in the US, this has been the first time since 1994 a non-American leads the list. Financial downturn has certainly shaken up major economies and business men have suffered heavy losses. The US  has still got 40% of 1011 of the world's richest in it but there is a marked increase in the number of billionaires in BRIC countries. And, it is encouraging to note that the current global trends are more beneficial to emerging economies.