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India And China: Comparing Power Elites

A tale of two countries

Published: Nov 23, 2013 06:51:31 AM IST
Updated: Nov 19, 2013 12:59:12 PM IST

Twenty-six, or just about a third, of the world’s most powerful people are billionaires. Most of these individuals hail from the US, where capitalism and democracy combine to make entrepreneurs as powerful as politicians. Eight power people hail from mainland China and India, two of the biggest and most dynamic economies in the world, both of which are predicted to overtake the US in aggregate GDP in coming decades. But reflecting the overwhelming role of the state in those two nations, particularly in China, only three of these power people are billionaires: Robin Li, head of Chinese internet search firm Baidu, and oil magnate Mukesh Ambani and steel baron Lakshmi Mittal, both Indians. This will likely change in coming years as China’s and India’s richest citizens increase their fortunes and extend their influence across the 2.6 billion people who call these countries their home. Here’s a look at how the very richest Chinese and Indians stack up.

India And China: Comparing Power Elites

(This story appears in the 29 November, 2013 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)

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  • Dr.a.jagadeesh

    Why not compare poverty in China and India? Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore(AP),India

    on May 30, 2014
  • Ankit

    Strange enough,out of these five indians none of their products revenue comes from india, i wonder what will happen to their so called wealth if US or UK economy goes down.

    on Jan 16, 2014
  • Rishabh Gupta

    That\'s really nice post. Thank you Forbes India. Keep it up!!

    on Nov 23, 2013