The growing coterie of really, really rich people around the world: By the numbers

Planet Earth is now home to 12 million "high net worth individuals." Go ahead, roll your eyes

Mark Zuckerberg
(Image credit: RICK WILKING/Reuters/Corbis)

Monday, the G-8, a group of leaders from eight of the world's 11 largest economies, convened in Northern Ireland to discuss global finances. Their conclusion: Though downside risks have been reduced, "world economic prospects remain weak."

Not everyone is struggling, though. While growth in the employment rate remains sluggish and many countries are still struggling to regain a sure footing after 2008, growth in equity and real estate markets in some regions has thickened the ranks of the world's wealthiest.

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Carmel Lobello is the business editor at TheWeek.com. Previously, she was an editor at DeathandTaxesMag.com.