What do you need to become one of the richest people on the planet? Apparently, one of the best scenarios is to be Russian, male, born without wealth and under 50.

Last night the business magazine Forbes published its annual rich list and revealed that in 2008 Russia has more billionaires than any country other than America. Of the 87 billionaires from Russia, the aluminium oligarch Oleg Deripaska who controls RusAl, was ranked ninth-richest in the world. Being young helps — the average age of Russia’s elite is 46, bringing the overall average of the world’s richest to 61. Mr Deripaska appears in the top ten for the first time, but he was outdone by the true victor yesterday — Warren Buffett, who unseated Bill Gates from the top spot for the first time in 13 years.

The surging share price of Berkshire Hathaway, Mr Buffett’s conglomerate, saw his personal wealth rise to $62 billion. There were 35 Britons in the list, although 49 billionaires live in the UK.

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