October 1st, 2009
Many of the world’s regions have switched places in the UBS rankings as currencies fluctuated in the wake of the financial crisis.
UBS Bank used to rank London the most expensive city in the world - but it has now plummeted to the 22nd spot. All in just one year.
In the 2009 list, Oslo has been crowned the most expensive city in the world, followed by Zurich and Copenhagen.
August 26th, 2009
A new report has revealed that Beijing has the maximum number of rich people in China.
The latest Hurun Report on China’s wealthiest people said that there are 143,000 (yuan-)multimillionaires and 8,800 billionaires in Beijing.
In Shanghai, there are 116,000 multimillionaires and 7,000 billionaires, reports the China Daily.
June 22nd, 2009
No. 1 on Forbes’ list, for the second year in a row, is Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
He is worth $30 billion, $5 billion less than last year, as a result of double-digit declines in real estate and stocks owned via the Crown Property Bureau, the state investment vehicle of which he is a trustee.
Rising political tensions have also destabilized the country, dampening even the important tourism sector.
May 3rd, 2009
In Mercer Consultings annual Quality of Living Survey, Europe once again dominates the list of 215 countries around the world.
The top three cities are, by rank, Vienna, Zurich (last years winner), and Geneva.
Commonwealth nations fare pretty well, too, winning 9 of the top 30 spots, even though London comes in only at 38.
March 13th, 2009
The American national business magazine, Forbes, compiled and published the list of billionaires including the world’s wealthiest people as of the first quarter 2009, based on each person’s total net worth.
Bad news for rich people: last year there were 1,125 billionaires, but this year there are just 793 people rich enough to make the list that means a 30% decline from a year ago.
The world’s richest are also a lot poorer. Their collective net worth is $2.4 trillion, down $2 trillion from a year ago. Their average net worth fell 23% to $3 billion. “Billionaire Bust”, is the red title on the cover of this month’s Forbes special issue that demonstrated how hard the crisis had struck on the richest people on the planet.
March 7th, 2009
Britain’s Prince Charles has beaten off competition from US President Barack Obama to be named the world’s best dressed man by Esquire magazine.
“He is perfectly turned out in a double-breasted suit. Admirably, the prince keeps his wardrobe in appropriate style: we’re told he has a room laid out like a tailor’s shop,” the men’s magazine said.
Prince Charles, 60, keeps it simple and has worn suits by Saville Row tailors Gieves and Hawkes, complete with pocket handkerchief and silk tie, for years. Esquire said he was “always incredibly well dressed”.
