The global wealth of billionaires surged by 17% over the past year, reaching $14 trillion, driven primarily by gains in the U.S., where the number of billionaires rose from 751 to 835. In contrast, China's billionaire count dropped from 520 to 427, with total wealth declining from $1.8 trillion to $1.4 trillion. Most new billionaires are self-made, expressing concerns over geopolitical risks and inflation, while North America is seen as the top region for investment returns in the coming year.