List of Countries by Female Billionaires

Female Billionaires Worldwide

Overview of Female Billionaires

Female billionaires may not outnumber their male counterparts, but boy, do they make waves with what they’ve got. As per Forbes’ 2024 Billionaires List, 369 women have snagged a spot among the planet’s 2,781 billionaires—accounting for about 13% of the club (CEO Today Magazine). Now, if you think back to 2015, there were only 197 on that list, so there’s been quite the rise and shine. Come March 2023, that count was up to 331, almost soaring by 70% (Yahoo Finance).

All together, these lady tycoons command a whooping net worth of nearly $1.8 trillion in 2024, adding $240 billion to their vaults in just one year (Business Insider Africa). But don’t let that number fool you; most of this is old money, passed down through generations. Only about 3.6% of these 132 women are out there hustlin’ to stack their gold from the ground up (CEO Today Magazine).

Here’s a snapshot of how female billionaires are spread out across different years:

Year	Number of Female Billionaires	Percentage of Total Billionaires	Total Net Worth ($ trillions)
2015	197	7.1%	N/A
2023	331	13%	1.56
2024	369	13%	1.80

Even though the numbers are still in favor of men, these women are making their mark with their ventures and charity works. Their rising presence among the world’s ultra-rich hints at slow but steady headway towards having more women in powerful financial positions.

Dig into our sections for a deeper dive into China’s Dominance, the United States’ Stronghold, and France’s Contributions in the female billionaire space.

Countries with Highest Female Billionaires

Taking a closer look at the list of countries by female billionaires, certain trends emerge in how wealth is distributed. How each country supports female go-getters can shed light on what’s happening economically around the globe.

China’s Reign

China is in the spotlight with a whopping two-thirds of the world’s self-made female billionaires. Notably, all Chinese female billionaires are pioneers, making their wealth by themselves (Quora). This jaw-dropping number shows off China’s welcoming space for female business trailblazers, chipping away at gender divides when it comes to making money.

Country	Number of Female Billionaires	Proportion Self-Made
China	44	100%

America’s Clout

Over in the United States, the numbers are loud and clear. The country leads the pack with 119 female billionaires (Business Insider Africa). These stats highlight the big role the U.S. plays in encouraging women to dream big and build wealth.

Country	Number of Female Billionaires	Famous Female Billionaires
United States	119	Oprah Winfrey, Diane Hendricks

Besides its stellar numbers, the U.S. fosters an environment laden with policies and programs that rev up women’s entrepreneurial spirits. This network has paved the way for female billionaires to really flourish.

France’s Footprint

France stands in the 11th spot with seven female billionaires. Among them is Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, the world’s richest woman, flaunting a net worth of $96 billion (Yahoo Finance).

Country	Number of Female Billionaires	Richest Female Billionaire	Net Worth (Billions)
France	7	Francoise Bettencourt Meyers	$96.0

France’s position shows off its nurturing environment for female billionaires, further bolstered by legal changes promoting economic inclusivity. These laws have played into the hands of women aiming for financial greatness.

By peeking into these top spots, we get a snapshot of how different regions empower women financially. For those intrigued by more countries and rankings, check out our full array of lists, including the list of european countries and the list of brics countries.

Representation of Women in Government

Seeing women in government isn’t just about politics, it’s about fairness and giving everyone a voice. When more women take seats at the table, it means change is brewing, blending perspectives, and making sure governments stand for everyone.

Ministerial Seats

Worldwide, as of January 2024, women held about 22.3% of the top spots in ministries (UN Women). This number shows we’re moving a bit closer to gender-balanced leadership. Across the board, in 53 countries, there’s at least one woman in charge of a ministry.

Region	% Women in Minister Posts	Countries Boasting Women Ministers
Africa	24.1	10
Asia	18.2	15
Europe	27.5	20
Americas	22.0	8
Oceania	16.8	0

Ladies in Low Houses

Taking a peek into the lower houses of parliament, women snatch up 25.5% of seats as of January 2024 (Inter-Parliamentary Union). This kind of representation matters a lot because it affects laws and policies geared toward equality. Fun fact! In 31 countries, women fill at least 30% of these spots.

Country	Women in the Lower House (%)
Rwanda	61.3
Mexico	48.2
Sweden	47.1
Finland	46.0
South Africa	41.7

Parliament Power Spots

As of January 2024, ladies locked in at least 30% of the seats in one chamber of parliament across 70 countries (Inter-Parliamentary Union). It’s a clear nod to recognizing how important it is for women to be part of the conversation.

Country	Women in Parliament Chambers (%)	Chamber Type
Andorra	50.0	Both
Bolivia	46.0	Lower House
Spain	44.2	Upper House
Belgium	42.6	Lower House
Argentina	39.3	Both

To get a deeper handle on women in politics and how it shakes out in different parts of the globe, scope out the list of countries by female billionaires. The stats shine light on where we’re at and what more needs doing for equal seats at the table.

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Global Wealth Gap

Cash by Color

The money split among different races shows some jaw-dropping differences. In 2022, white families in the U.S. had, on average, $1.4 million in wealth. Compare that with Black families holding just $211,596 and Hispanic ones with $227,544—big gap, right? Meanwhile, Asian families topped the list with an average wealth of $1.8 million. Check out the Urban Institute for more details.

Ethnicity	Average Wealth (2022)
White	$1.4 million
Black	$211,596
Hispanic	$227,544
Asian	$1.8 million

Men vs Women: The Salary See-Saw

Gender adds another twist to this money story. Over a lifetime, the typical white guy aged 58 to 62 made $2.9 million. Black guys raked in $1.8 million and Hispanic men brought home $1.7 million. Women didn’t fare as well: white women pulled in $1.7 million, Black women $1.3 million, and Hispanic women just $883,000. For more figures, visit the Urban Institute.

Gender & Ethnicity	Average Career Earnings (58-62 years)
White Men	$2.9 million
Black Men	$1.8 million
Hispanic Men	$1.7 million
White Women	$1.7 million
Black Women	$1.3 million
Hispanic Women	$883,000

The Inheritance Stack

Inheritance plays a pretty big part in these wealth gaps. In 2022, white families were around four times more likely to inherit cash than Black families, and five times as likely as Hispanic ones. These family hand-me-downs account for about 12 to 16 percent of the racial wealth gap, says the Urban Institute.

Ethnicity	Likelihood of Receiving Inheritance (2022)
White	4 times more likely than Black families
Black	Less likely
Hispanic	5 times less likely than White families

Curious for more numbers and facts on wealth and economies? Dive into our pieces on the list of countries by GDP and list of developed countries.

Women Empowerment Progress

Empowering women economically is all about making sure they have the same shot at success as men. Here we’ll chat about three areas where there’s been some headway: legal reforms, parental leave, and tackling workplace discrimination.

Legal Reforms for Economic Inclusion

Everywhere you look, women are still running into roadblocks when it comes to equal economic power. Did you know that 2.4 billion working-age women around the world don’t get the same economic rights as men? That’s bonkers! In 86 countries, there are jobs women just can’t do, and 95 countries still play the old game of not paying women equally for the same gig.

But hey, not all news is bad. In 2021, 23 countries decided to shake things up—banishing laws that held women back. We’re talking about cracking down on sexual harassment, snuffing out gender bias, and even letting new parents take more time off (and get paid for it). The Middle East and North Africa got into the mix, too. Bahrain said, “Yep, equal pay for equal work sounds about right,” and Egypt’s putting its foot down on domestic violence.

Gabon is waving its flag as a champion in Sub-Saharan Africa by making property ownership and employment rights as equal as the law gets.

Parental Leave Policies

Turns out, when parents can hang with their kids without worrying about work, everybody wins. In a big swoop, 118 places now offer moms at least 14 weeks of paid leave. Fathers? Yup, more than half of these places also want dads to leave work and bond with their newborns, but they’re mostly getting a short straw with just a week’s time on average.

Hong Kong, in its story of change, decided to bump up maternity leave from 10 weeks to 14. Meanwhile, countries like Armenia, Switzerland, and Ukraine jumped on the paid paternity leave bandwagon to make sure dads don’t miss out on early years of parenting.

Country	Maternity Leave (weeks)	Paternity Leave (weeks)
Hong Kong SAR	14	NA
Armenia	14	1
Switzerland	14	2
Ukraine	14	1

Workplace Discrimination Measures

Workplace equality ain’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must. Loads of places are stepping up to ensure women feel safe and respected where they work. In 2021, the big guns in various countries were pointed at wiping out discrimination.

For example, Egypt made it a real deal by setting rules to stop folks from getting less financial service help just because of their gender. And over in Gabon, it’s all about leveling the playing field so women get the same rights as men across the board, from being household heads to landing jobs.

These laws and workplace changes are stepping stones to hooking women up with equal standing economically. If you’re curious about how economies globally are stacking up, check out our list of countries’ economic status and see what’s trending.

Countries from all corners are jumping on the women empowerment train. Want to know where regions rank in other spheres? Have a peek at our list of African countries, list of European countries, and list of Asian countries.

The Rising Power of Self-Made Women

Looking around at the big-name female billionaires, it’s clear that self-made success stories are really shaking things up for society and setting the stage for the future.

Trailblazers Among Self-Made Female Billionaires

The surge in women building themselves into billionaires from scratch signals a big change in how the business world is shaping up. Women from big players like China and the U.S. are at the front of this shift, making strides in various fields like tech and media. They show there’s room for women to step up and break those old-school barriers wide open.

Here are a few of the stars making waves:

Name	Country	Industry	Net Worth (Billions USD)
Zhang Xin	China	Real Estate	3.6
Oprah Winfrey	United States	Media	2.7
Sara Blakely	United States	Apparel	1.1
Zhou Qunfei	China	Technology	6.5

These ladies aren’t just counting their billions; they’re setting new records in their fields, showing gender doesn’t dictate success.

Redefining Societal Expectations

The noticeable increase of self-made female billionaires is shaking up expectations around gender roles, especially in leadership. These female powerhouses are rewriting the script on wealth and leadership, showing young women that it’s okay to aim high and achieve big.

Their financial triumphs are shifting the narrative on a global scale, pushing society toward more equal opportunities. Beyond their personal successes, they advocate for policies and efforts like mentorship and fair pay that complement women’s endeavors in business.

Empowering Future Female Go-Getters

The tales behind these billionaires are like rocket fuel for the imaginations and ambitions of the next batch of female entrepreneurs. With enough tools, learning, and connections, these stories prove that women can bulldoze through big challenges and reach the stars.

Women like Oprah Winfrey and Zhou Qunfei are lighting the way, encouraging young businesswomen to think big and chase their dreams. They stand as living proof that with hard work, anything’s possible. Young girls have role models who prove their dreams are valid and achievable.

If you wanna dig more into how wealth is spread and how gender still plays a role, take a look at our articles on global wealth disparity and the representation of women in government.

The momentum gathered by self-made female billionaires hints at a future where women can balance business and leadership more equally. Their journeys show that not only can they lead the charge, but they also keep the push for gender equality fresh and evolving.

Breakthroughs of Self-Made Female Billionaires

Watching self-made female billionaires rise is like seeing a new page in history unfold, with women kicking down doors and smashing ceilings across industries. We’re spotlighting the remarkable Taylor Swift, Lisa Su, and Michelle Zatlyn. These powerhouse women have crafted their own stories on their road to a billion bucks.

Taylor Swift’s Success Story

Taylor Swift’s climb to billionaire status can be summed up as a mix of raw talent, iron-willed determination, and some smart moves in the business world. In 2024, she hit a huge milestone, not just for her, but for aspiring artists everywhere, when her bank account soared to an impressive $1.1 billion, largely thanks to her jaw-droppin’ Eras Tour and the movie that came after it.

Achievement	Value
Eras Tour Cash Flow	$600 million
Movie Ticket Cash	$500 million
Happily Ever After Balance	$1.1 billion

Swift isn’t just strumming guitars and penning lyrics; she’s a walking proof that if you pair creativity with a knack for business, you can fill your pockets right to the brim. Girls, take note and chase those dreams because those dollars are waiting for you too.

Lisa Su’s Path to Success

Lisa Su isn’t just making waves; she’s creating a tsunami in the tech world as CEO of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). She’s bossed up AMD with such gusto that its stock took off to the moon, helping the company swipe at other tech giants.

Metric	Value
AMD’s Market Boom	500%
Stock Price Skyrocket	700%

In a field where it’s typically a men’s game, Su’s story shouts loud and clear about what grit and smarts can get you. Her journey is the kind of fuel aspiring tech leaders need, cheering them onto pinstriped suits and corner offices. More of Su’s story here.

Michelle Zatlyn’s Achievements

Michelle Zatlyn co-founded Cloudflare, a tech dynamo that’s making the internet a safer, faster place. Her vision has pushed Cloudflare to unimaginable heights, cementing her spot as a leading light in tech entrepreneurship.

Metric	Value
Cloudflare Earnings	$700 million a year
Rocketship Value	$15 billion

Zatlyn’s work showcases how women can shake things up in the tech industry, setting new benchmarks and creating change one byte at a time.

Through their hustle and heart, these self-made female billionaires show just what women can achieve when they set their sights on the prize. Their tales are more than just stories; they’re a roadmap for anyone dreaming of hitting it big. With every new woman billion-dollar achiever, the narrative is shifting towards a brighter and more substantial financial future for women all around the world. Curious about where more self-made billionaire women hail from? Check out the list of first world countries.

Achievements and Impact

Progress Towards Gender Equality

The journey for female billionaires carving out their place in the big leagues has been nothing short of remarkable. The surge of self-made female billionaires is not just about racking up numbers—it’s a beacon of change for roles in money and power. These trailblazers are tearing down old-school rules and paving the way. With every new billionaire, a step towards smashing those pesky glass ceilings is taken.

Empowering Resources for Success

A little help goes a long way, especially when it comes to shattering those barriers. Empowerment for women often starts with good laws and solidly backing economic inclusion. 2021 was a busy year, with 23 countries stepping up to the plate, polishing up their laws to let women join the game on equal footing. Parental leave is also a biggie—118 economies now ensure 14 weeks of paid leave for mothers. Fathers are getting their dues too, with many places recognizing paternity leave as a necessity, not just a bonus.

Resource Type	Impact on Women’s Empowerment
Legal Reforms	A foot in the economic door
Parental Leave Policies	Level up on managing work and home life
Leadership Networks	Mentors and opportunities to jump ahead

Want to know more about how women are getting a leg up? Check out the women empowerment progress section.

Women’s Promising Financial Future

The rise of self-made female billionaires isn’t just about lining pockets—it’s a shout-out to every woman dreaming big. These stories encourage a rewrite of outdated roles and highlight the power of using resources and networks well. Through diverse journeys, these women are making the financial landscape look far rosier for young women plotting their own courses.

For a peek into where these pioneering women are making waves, dive into our chart of countries with thriving female billionaires and check the scene in Europe through our list of European countries.

Explore our lists to get the full scoop: