Bill Gates repeats at top of Forbes' list

Bill Gates is at the top of Forbes magazine's list of the world's billionaires for the second consecutive year, and 16th of the last 21.

The world's richest person got even richer this year.

Forbes says that Bill Gates's net worth rose to $US79.2 billion ($A101.27 billion) in 2015 from $US76 billion last year.

That put him at the top of the magazine's list of the world's billionaires for the second consecutive year.

The co-founder of Microsoft Corp. has topped the list for 16 of the last 21 years.

In second place is telecom mogul Carlos Slim Helu, with a net worth of $US77.1 billion. He had topped the list in 2013.

Next is investor Warren Buffett, who moved up one slot this year with a net worth of $US72.7 billion.

Forbes says there were 1826 billionaires on its list this year, up from 1645 in 2014.

It's the 29th year for Forbes billionaires' list.