New Research Reveals What It Takes To Become A Billionaire

From education to first jobs, this is what the world’s wealthiest people have in common

Those hoping to see out the new decade as one of the wealthiest people in the world should study engineering or finance at degree level, work in engineering or the stock market as a first job and consider software development as a long-term career path.  This is according to new research into what it takes to become one of the 100 richest people in the world.

The annual research, carried out by Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment, is now in its second year and looks at what type of person is likely to become a billionaire. The research suggests that a degree is a prerequisite to entrance onto the rich list, with 80% of the top 100 world’s richest people being educated to degree level.

Rob Scott, Managing Director of Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment said, “In 2019 we are seeing a shift in ‘old money’ wealth from the likes of minerals, oil and pharmaceuticals to a new generation of billionaires from software entrepreneurship.”

This year’s research revealed that just over 14% of the current 100 wealthiest people in the world started their careers by setting up their own business – suggesting entrepreneurship can pay huge dividends. Men make up the overwhelming majority of the world’s wealthiest, with just eight females in the top 100 wealthiest list.

Two trends were notable in this year’s research.   The first is that the number of Chinese billionaires is increasing, up from seven to ten in the last three years, putting it in second place behind America for the highest number of individuals in the world’s richest club.

The second significant finding is that the average age of the billionaire appears to be getting younger. Scott adds, “In 2017, Mark Zuckerberg was the only individual in the wealthiest 100 under the age of 40. In 2019, there are now five top 100 billionaires below 40, with a trend of software entrepreneurs joining the list. The rise of software entrepreneurship seems to be replacing traditional wealth from resources like minerals and oil.”

To find out more, access the research data and manipulate the information for your own articles, visit: https://www.aaronwallis.co.uk/news/top-100-billionaires-2019.aspx