Global Billionaires’ Wealth Hits Record $18.3trn As Oxfam Warns Of Political Risks

The collective wealth of the world’s billionaires surged to a record $18.3 trillion in 2025, according to a report released Monday by global charity organisation Oxfam, which warned that the growing concentration of wealth poses “highly dangerous” political consequences.

The report, published annually ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, said billionaire wealth jumped by 16.2 per cent to $18.3 trillion during the first year of US President Donald Trump’s second term.

Oxfam attributed the sharp rise to policy decisions under the Trump administration, particularly the promotion of deregulation and efforts to weaken international agreements aimed at increasing corporate taxation.

“Actions of the Trump presidency, including the championing of deregulation and undermining agreements to increase corporate taxation, have benefited the richest around the world,” the organisation said.

For the first time, the number of billionaires globally has surpassed 3,000, the report added. It noted that the world’s 12 richest individuals, led by Tesla and SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk, now control more wealth than the poorest half of the global population, estimated at over four billion people.

Oxfam also warned that extreme wealth is increasingly being translated into political influence, citing billionaires’ ownership of major media platforms. Examples include Musk’s acquisition of social media platform X and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ purchase of The Washington Post.

“The widening gap between the rich and the rest is at the same time creating a political deficit that is highly dangerous and unsustainable,” Oxfam Executive Director Amitabh Behar said.

President Trump is expected to attend the Davos summit with one of the largest US delegations in recent years. The event’s official theme is “A Spirit of Dialogue,” though Trump’s presence is expected to dominate discussions.