Curious about who the wealthiest individuals in Asia are? This article will explore the top 10 richest people in Asia in 2024.
Top 10 Richest People in Asia 2024: Wealth Leaders and Billionaires to Watch Discover the top 10 richest people in Asia in 2024, including their net worth, industries, and key achievements. Stay updated on the wealthiest individuals shaping Asia’s economy.
The dynamic wealth landscape in Asia has consistently garnered global interest, showcasing a remarkable array of individuals on the Forbes real-time list of billionaires. Have you ever wondered who tops this list of Asia’s wealthiest individuals? As of May 2024, it’s no surprise that Mukesh Ambani holds the title of Asia’s richest person, boasting an impressive net worth of $110.4 billion. This article delves into the rundown of Asia’s wealthiest people in 2024, highlighting those who extend their influence beyond borders.
The Top 10 Richest People in Asia
The most current list of billionaires worldwide, curated by Forbes, reveals the top 10 wealthiest individuals in Asia as of May 13, 2024.
| Rank & Name | Country | Net Worth (in USD Billions) |
| #1 Mukesh Ambani | India | 110.4 |
| #2 Gautam Adani | India | 77.3 |
| #3 Zhong Shanshan | China | 67.3 |
| #4 Prajogo Pangestu | Indonesia | 62.2 |
| #5 Colin Zheng Huang | China | 48.0 |
| #6 Zhang Yiming | China | 43.4 |
| #7 Ma Huateng | China | 40.7 |
| #8 Li Ka-shing | Hong Kong | 37.9 |
| #9 Tadashi Yanai and Family | Japan | 37.9 |
| #10 Savitri Jindal & family | India | 35.1 |
A Deeper Insight: Wealthiest Individuals in Asia in 2024
The year 2024 has seen remarkable shifts in the financial landscape of Asia, with numerous individuals amassing significant wealth and solidifying their positions as some of the richest people in the region. Let’s delve into the profiles of these affluent individuals who have made notable contributions to their industries and societies.
- Source of wealth: Diversified
- Age: 66
- Residence: Mumbai, India
- Citizenship: India
Mukesh Ambani, the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries, holds the title of the richest man in Asia. In 2008, he entered the Indian Premier League (IPL) by acquiring the Mumbai Indians team. Jio, Reliance’s telecom and broadband service, has amassed nearly 470.29 million subscribers to date. In August, Jio Financial Services made its debut, showcasing the company’s growing ambitions. Additionally, in July 2023, BlackRock and Jio Financial Services announced the creation of Jio BlackRock, a joint venture aimed at delivering advanced and innovative investment solutions to Indian investors.
Also Read:- Top 10 Richest People In India (2024)
- Source of wealth: Infrastructure, commodities, self-made
- Age: 61
- Residence: Ahmedabad, India
- Citizenship: India
Gautam Adani leads the Adani Group, an $81 billion conglomerate with interests in ports, airports, energy, and green projects. Founded as a trading company in 1988, Adani has risen to become one of Asia’s wealthiest individuals. He has demonstrated his capabilities as India’s leading airport operator and overseer of Gujarat’s major Mundra Port. Additionally, his strategic purchase of Holcim’s Indian assets in 2022 elevated him to the rank of India’s second-largest cement producer.
- Source of wealth: Beverages, pharmaceuticals, self-made
- Age: 68
- Residence: Hangzhou, China
- Citizenship: China
Zhong Shanshan, the visionary behind Nongfu Spring, a leading bottled water company, stands as the third wealthiest individual in Asia and the richest person in China. His journey from construction work to journalism and beverage sales culminated in his entrepreneurial success. He also exerts significant influence over Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy, which manufactures rapid diagnostic tests for Covid-19. By the end of 2022, Zhong Shanshan had firmly retained his position as the wealthiest person in China for the second consecutive year, with an estimated net worth of $62.3 billion.
- Source of wealth: PT Barito Pacific
- Age: 79
- Residence: Jakarta, Indonesia
- Citizenship: Indonesia
Prajogo Pangestu, an energy and petrochemical magnate, stands as the richest individual in Indonesia. Initially venturing into the timber industry, his enterprise, PT Barito Pacific, now leads in petrochemicals, plastic production, mining, and thermal energy in the country. His fortune saw a notable surge in 2023 when his conglomerate’s two firms, Petrindo Jaya Kreasi and Barito Renewables Energy, launched their initial public offerings.
- Source of wealth: E-commerce
- Age: 43
- Residence: Shanghai, China
- Citizenship: China
Colin Huang, the founder of PDD Holdings, a prominent Chinese e-commerce company that rebranded from Pinduoduo in February 2023, remains a significant shareholder with approximately 28% ownership despite stepping down as chairman a few years ago. Huang also founded the online gaming platform Xinyoudi and another e-commerce site, Ouku.com. In Forbes’ 2022 ranking of China’s 100 wealthiest individuals, Huang secured the ninth position.
- Source of wealth: TikTok, self-made
- Age: 39
- Residence: Beijing, China
- Citizenship: China
Zhang Yiming, the visionary behind the Chinese tech giant ByteDance, is most renowned for creating the immensely popular app TikTok. With a staggering user base exceeding 1 billion globally, TikTok has become a cultural phenomenon. As of March 2023, Zhang maintains a 2% ownership stake in ByteDance. However, the company’s future is uncertain due to potential regulatory challenges, including a possible ban on TikTok in the US. The US Congress recently passed legislation granting the government the authority to pursue such a ban. In addition to TikTok’s success, ByteDance has diversified its portfolio to include news, education, and gaming sectors.
- Source of wealth: Online games
- Age: 52
- Residence: Shenzhen, China
- Citizenship: China
Pony Ma, also known as Ma Huateng, leads Tencent Holdings, a major Chinese internet company. He is in charge of WeChat, a popular messaging app boasting 1.3 billion users, which has contributed to his status as one of Asia’s wealthiest individuals. Tencent has significant investments in the global gaming industry, including a stake in Epic Games, and is a prominent video game publisher. Through Tencent’s investments, Ma’s influence extends to companies like Tesla and Spotify. Recently, he announced Tencent’s plans to develop new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for the benefit of society at large.
- Source of wealth: Diversified, self-made
- Age: 95
- Residence: Hong Kong
- Citizenship: Hong Kong
Li Ka-Shing, one of Asia’s wealthiest individuals, embarked on his journey at the age of 21 when he founded Cheung Kong Plastics in 1950. The company, named after the Yangtze River, was launched with $6,500 from his savings and loans from relatives. His philanthropy through the Li Ka Shing Foundation is remarkable, having donated over $3.8 billion to various causes, primarily in Greater China. Recently, CK Hutchison Holdings, under Li Ka-Shing’s control, and the Vodafone Group agreed to merge their respective British telecommunications businesses, creating the country’s largest mobile operator.
- Source of wealth: Fashion retail, self-made
- Age: 75
- Residence: Tokyo, Japan
- Citizenship: Japan
Tadashi Yanai is the visionary behind Fast Retailing, a prominent apparel empire listed in Tokyo that oversees the Uniqlo chain. Fast Retailing’s portfolio includes brands like Theory, Helmut Lang, J Brand, and GU. Uniqlo, its flagship brand, is widely spread with over 2,400 stores across 25 countries, propelling Tadashi into the ranks of the top 10 richest individuals in Asia. With the launch of its first store in Mumbai, India, in October 2023, Uniqlo aims to establish itself as the leading brand in India, despite fierce competition from local and international brands.
- Source of wealth: Steel
- Age: 74
- Residence: Hisar, India
- Citizenship: India
Savitri Jindal, the widow of the founder Om Prakash Jindal, now leads the Jindal Group, a conglomerate that encompasses steel, power, cement, and infrastructure. Following the passing of OP Jindal, their sons divided the group’s companies, which now operate independently. Her son based in Mumbai, Sajjan Jindal, oversees the group’s most significant assets. Not only is she one of the wealthiest individuals in Asia, but she is also the richest woman in India. Savitri Jindal has continued her husband’s legacy of philanthropy, contributing to sectors such as education, healthcare, and more.