Forbes just released its 2015 list of the richest people on the planet, and 70 individuals from the MENA region made the cut, with nearly half of them hailing from Turkey. To make Forbes' list, individuals must possess at least $1 billion. This year, Forbes counted 1,826 billionaires globally, which is a new record. Cumulatively, the group of billionaires have $7.05 trillion. That is a lot of cash.
Citizens from the countries of Algeria, Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates made the list. Royal families are not directly included, as they are considered to be powerful people who control a nation’s fortunes, rather than their own. A couple princes did make the cut because of their independent business ventures.
Bill Gates, from the United States, sits comfortably as the richest man in the world again. Gates has held this position for 16 out of the past 21 years. Coming in No. 2 globally is Mexican Carlos Slim Helu – who is of Lebanese descent. Although Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris recently made headlines for his planned investment in Euronews Television, he ties only for 13th place on our regional list. Prince Alwaleed Bil Tala Alsaud of Saudi Arabia comes in at No. 1 regionally, with more than twice as much wealth as his nearest competitor.
With 32 billionaires out of the regional 70, Turkey clearly dominates the regional ranking. Saudi Arabia comes in second with 10 billionaires. However, Turkey's top billionaire, Murat Ulker, holds a fortune of just $4.4 billion – compared to Alwaleed's $22.6 billion – coming in 6th regionally. The rest of Turkish billionaires each have less than $3 billion. Yes, we said less. Notably, Turkey was also the only regional nation with women making the list. See the full list of regional billionaires below:
Country: Saudi Arabia Net worth: $22.6 billion Source of wealth: Investments
Country: Saudi Arabia Net worth: $10.8 billion Source of wealth: Oil, diversified
Country: United Arab Emirates Net worth: $6.4 billion Source of wealth: Diversified
Country: Egypt Net worth: $6.3 billion Source of wealth: Construction
Country: United Arab Emirates Net worth: $6.2 billion Source of wealth: Real estate, retail
Country: Turkey Net worth: $4.4 billion Source of wealth: Food manufacturing
Country: Saudi Arabia Net worth: $4.1 billion Source of wealth: Dairy farms
Country: Egypt Net worth: $4 billion Source of wealth: Diversified
Country: Saudi Arabia Net worth: $3.5 billion Source of wealth: Investments
Country: United Arab Emirates Net worth: $3.4 billion Source of wealth: Diversified
Country: Lebanon Net worth: $3.3 billion Source of wealth: Telecom
Country: Lebanon Net worth: $3.3 billion Source of wealth: Telecom
Country: United Arab Emirates Net worth: $3.2 billion Source of wealth: Auto dealers, investments
Country: Egypt Net worth: $3.1 billion Source of wealth: Telecom
Country: Algeria Net worth: $3.1 billion Source of wealth: food
Country: Egypt Net worth: $2.9 billion Source of wealth: diversified
Country: Saudi Arabia $2.8 billion Source of wealth: Diversified
Country: Turkey Net worth: $2.7 billion Source of wealth: Finance, diversified
Country: Turkey Net worth: $2.6 billion Source of wealth: Diversified
Country: Turkey Net worth: $2.5 billion Source of wealth: Diversified
Country: Turkey Net worth: $2.5 billion Source of wealth: Banking, media
Country: Turkey Net worth: $2.4 billion Source of wealth: Construction
Country: Egypt Net worth: $2.3 billion Source of wealth: Diversified
Country: Moroccan Net worth: $2.3 billion Source of wealth: Banking, insurance
Country: Turkey Net worth: $2.2 billion Source of wealth: Bank, media
Country: Saudi Arabia Net worth: $2.1 billion Source of wealth: Banking
Country: Egypt Net worth: $2 billion Source of wealth: Retail, investments
Country: Egypt Net worth: $1.8 billion Source of wealth: Construction, telecom
Country: Saudi Arabia Net worth: $1.8 billion Source of wealth: Banking
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1.8 billion Source of wealth: Construction
Country: Moroccan Net worth: $1.7 billion Source of wealth: Petroleum, diversified
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1.7 billion Source of wealth: Food manufacturing
Country: Lebanon Net worth: $1.5 billion Source of wealth: Fine jewelry
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1.5 billion Source of wealth: Pharmaceuticals, diversified
Country: Saudi Arabia Net worth: $1.4 billion Source of wealth: Retailing, real estate
Country: Saudi Arabia Net worth: $1.4 billion Source of wealth: Retail, shopping malls
Country: Saudi Arabia Net worth: $1.4 billion Source of wealth: Retailing, shopping malls
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1.4 billion Source of wealth: Energy, media, banking
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1.4 billion Source of wealth: Pharmaceuticals, diversified
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1.4 billion Source of wealth: diversified
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1.4 billion Source of wealth: Food manufacturing, retail
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1.4 billion Source of wealth: Chobani yogurt
Country: Morocco Net worth: $1.3 billion Source of wealth: Diversified
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1.3 billion Source of wealth: Hospitals
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1.3 billion Source of wealth: Shipping
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1.3 billion Source of wealth: Diversified
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1.3 billion Source of wealth: Bank, media
Country: Oman Net worth: $1.2 billion Source of wealth: Oil
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1.2 billion Source of wealth: Tourism, construction
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1.2 billion Source of wealth: Construction
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1.2 billion Source of wealth: Telecom, diversified
Country: Egypt Net worth: $1.1 billion Source of wealth: Real estate, hotels
Country: Kuwait Net worth: $1.1 billion Source of wealth: Diversified
Country: Kuwait Net worth: $1.1 billion Source of wealth: Diversified
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1.1 billion Source of wealth: Diversified
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1.1 billion Source of wealth: Diversified
Country: Oman Net worth: $1 billion Source of wealth: Real estate
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1 billion Source of wealth: Media
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1 billion Source of wealth: Diversified
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1 billion Source of wealth: diversified
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1 billion Source of wealth: Telecom
Country: Turkey Net worth: $1 billion Source of wealth: Diversified