We know the world's richest man is Carlos Slim Helu of Mexico,
After the two richest men in the world , Bill Gates n Warrent Buffet , gave away most of their fortune to charity )
You'll have to check with Forbes for the rest.
How about governments?
Which government is the richest (having most money that is, in US$)?
If you are expecting North American and European nations, wrong .........
While the countries may look rich, wealthy European nations can't withstand a prolonged major financial crisis, just like Greece.
The USA might have the biggest economy, but the American government is not at all rich;
(in fact, it can't even take out US$150bn if asked to now without resorting to borrowing.)
To date the US government has borrowed $14.5 trillion!
The UK, likewise, while the country/people are well off, the government isn't.
The UK government's debt stands at $9 trillion now!
The World's Richest Governments immediately after the 2008-2009 financial crisis are: -
1. P R of China
National reserves: $2,454,300,000,000
2. Japan
National reserves: $1,019,000,000,000
3. Russia
National reserves: $458,020,000,000
4. Saudi Arabia
National reserves: $395,467,000,000
5. Taiwan (ROC)
National reserves: $362,380,000,000
6. India
National reserves: $279,422,000,000
7. South Korea
National reserves: $274,220,000,000
8. Switzerland
National reserves: $262,000,000,000
9. Hong Kong, China
National reserves: $256,000,000,000
10. Brazil
National reserves: $255,000,000,000
Here are the rest, in million US$:
11 Singapore / 203,436
12 Germany / 189,100
13 Thailand / 150,000
14 Algeria / 149,000
15 France / 140,848
16 Italy / 133,104
17 United States / 124,176
18 Mexico / 100,096
19 Iran / 96,560
20 Malaysia / 96,100
21 Poland / 85,232
22 Libya / 79,000
23 Denmark / 76,315
24 Turkey / 71,859
25 Indonesia / 69,730
26 United Kingdom / 69,091
27 Israel / 62,490
28 Canada / 57,392
29 Norway / 49,223
30 Iraq / 48,779
31 Argentina / 48,778
32 Philippines / 47,650
33 Sweden / 46,631
34 United Arab Emirates / 45,000
35 Hungary / 44,591
36 Romania / 44,056
37 Nigeria / 40,480
38 Czech Republic / 40,151
39 Australia / 39,454
40 Lebanon / 38,600
41 Netherlands / 38,372
42 South Africa / 38,283
43 Peru / 37,108
44 Egypt / 35,223
45 Venezuela / 31,925
46 Ukraine / 28,837
47 Spain / 28,195
48 Colombia / 25,141
49 Chile / 24,921
51 Brunei / 22,000
52 Morocco / 21,873
54 Macau / 18,730
55 Kazakhstan / 27,549
56 Kuwait / 19,420
57 Angola / 19,400
58 Austria / 18,079
59 Serbia / 17,357
60 Pakistan / 16,770
61 New Zealand / 16,570
62 Bulgaria / 16,497
63 Ireland / 16,229
63 Portugal / 16,254
64 Croatia / 13,720
65 Jordan / 12,180
66 Finland / 11,085
67 Bangladesh / 10,550
68 Botswana / 10,000
69 Tunisia / 9,709
70 Azerbaijan / 9,316
71 Bolivia / 8,585
72 Trinidad and Tobago / 8,100
Big national reserves doesn't guarantee prosperity however, for instance, the yearly expenses for China's government is $1.11 trillion, their government must always think of economic growth and making more money. The PRC overspent $110bn last year, much of it towards modernizing their military, if it goes on like this their reserves can only last for 22 yrs.
The Malaysian gov't overspent $13bn last year, if it goes on like this their reserves can only last for 7 yrs.
The Singaporean government overspent $3bn last year, much of it rescuing their banks from financial crisis, if it goes on like this their reserves can last 68 yrs.
The Swiss gov't overspent $1bn last year, if it goes on like this their reserves can last 262 yrs.
A country normally can borrow up to 100% its GDP. A very strong industrial country or very financial stable nation can borrow up to perhaps 200% its GDP, debts over 250% GDP the country is bankrupt.
Greece's debt is 113.40% GDP, in danger as it is not considered a strong industrial or financial country, as we already know.
Iceland’s debt is 107.60% GDP, also in crisis as it is not so strong industrially or financially.
Singapore’s debt is 113.10%, not in hot water due to its global financial hub status, and also its financial strength. It's only dangerous for Singapore when it reaches 200%.
Japan’s debt is 189.30%, still under radar as a powerful Industrial nation. It needs to panic only at around 200%.
The US has the world largest debt, but it is only 62% of its GDP, it is not in any immediate danger of bankruptcy.
Zimbabwe’s debt is 282.60% GDP, it is a kaput nation.
Malaysia’s debt is currently At 53.70% GDP.... would have been much better if not for billions wasted thru corruption and mismanagement by UMNO.
Hong Kong and Taiwan are doing pretty good with debts at 32-37% GDP.
South Korea is even better with debts at 23.5% GDP.
China is very stable with debts at 16.90% GDP.
Russia is like a big mountain with debts @ only at 6.30% GDP.
