Nearly two-thirds of the world's new billionaires come from Asia - according to the annual list of the world's richest people by the American business magazine Forbes.
The magazine added 97 new billionaires to its annual list, 62 of whom are Asian.
The magazine's editor in chief, Steve Forbes, says it's no surprise that many from Asia are on the list because countries such as China and India are booming.
For the first time in 16 years, an American does not top the Forbes list.
That spot is taken by Mexican telecommunications billionaire, Carlos Slim, who the magazine says is worth $US53.5 billion, the BBC reports.
Microsoft founder Bill Gates is in second place with $US53 billion, with US investor Warren Buffet third with $US43 billion.
