While most parts of the world are struggling to cope with soaring unemployment and plummeting economic growth, the 0.001% super rich wealth is surging. The global 500 richest people's net assets increased by US $1.8 trillion in 2020 and now reach US $7.6 trillion, according to the index.

Compared with last year, this figure is equivalent to an increase of 31%, jumping to $3 trillion from the lowest point of the market in March. In addition, this is also the biggest increase in the eight years since the launch of the index. Now, five people in the world have more than $100 billion in wealth, and another 20 have at least $50 billion in wealth. The net assets of these 25 people have increased by about $217 billion in the past 12 months, enough to distribute $2000 to more than 100 million Americans.

The novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak has overturned many industries, especially the real estate industry, but the wealth created in the unrealized niche market is surging, partly because of the free transaction applications such as Robinhood.

In addition, Yuan Zheng became famous for the surge in demand for his video conferencing software zoom. The closure of the gym has allowed fitness workers to flock to home fitness venues, sparked enthusiasm for peloton and made John Foley, its chief executive, a billionaire.

Used car website Carvana.com The founders Garcia and his son have both become billionaires, and the Facebook co-founder Winklevoss brothers have joined the ranks again, thanks to the resurgence of interest in cryptocurrency.

The active market and a large number of listed companies have also greatly promoted China's wealth creation activities. The wealth of China's richest people in the index has increased by $569 billion, more than any other country except the United States.

Among them, the listing of Zhong's two companies helped him increase his net assets by US $70.9 billion, becoming the richest man in Asia. He has replaced Mukesh Ambani, India's richest man, who has begun to transform his conglomerate into an e-commerce and technology giant.

Around the world, the surge in wealth of the super rich has rekindled interest in tax increases for the rich. In Germany, the United Kingdom, California and Washington, legislators, activists and scholars are pushing for the implementation of a wealth tax to rebuild the national treasury that has been depleted by the epidemic.

Chuck Collins, director of the inequality and common interest program at the US Policy Institute, said: "the surge in the wealth of billionaires has touched the nerves of millions of people who have lost their loved ones, their health, their wealth and their livelihood. What's worse is that it undermines our sense of "being in the same boat." we need to be united to get through the difficult times in the coming months. "

However, this year's epidemic also highlights the role that Regal capital and the companies it controls can play if the government fails to respond. Whether it's donating personal protective equipment, funding medical research, or promoting vaccines, they all contribute to disaster response.

Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos' ex-wife Mackenzie Scott redefined the philanthropy of the rich, donating nearly $6 billion in a few months. Although she is donating at an unprecedented rate, she will be richer at the end of 2020 than at the beginning.

"In the lives of struggling Americans, the epidemic has done more harm," Scott wrote. Economic losses and health outcomes are worse for women, people of color and people living in poverty. At the same time, it has greatly increased the wealth of the billionaires. "

In addition to individuals, apple, Microsoft, Amazon, alphabet, Facebook, Tesla and NVIDIA, the seven most valuable technology companies in the United States, are also making a lot of money, with a total market value of $3.4 trillion in 2020. Among them, Apple's market value jumped nearly $1 trillion, and its stock price rose 81%.

Amazon, which benefited from the growth of consumer and cloud computing business, followed suit, with a market value increase of more than $700 billion. Microsoft increased by $480 billion, alphabet by $268 billion, and Facebook by $193 billion.

Source: Netease technology report, translated by Baidu