World's richest gain $US1 trillion in 2017

The most recent Bloomberg Billionaires Index shows that the world's 500 wealthiest people became $US1 trillion richer in 2017.

WHAT HAPPENED IN A YEAR?

* World's wealthiest became $US1 trillion richer

* Jeff Bezos knocked Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates out of first place

* The top five richest Australians worth a combined $US40 billion

* Technology was the best performing sector - adding $US262 billion

* Out of the top 100, Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos enjoyed the largest year-on-year gain

TOP FIVE RICHEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD:

1. Jeff Bezos at $US100b

2. Bill Gates at $US91.6b

3. Warren Buffet at $US85.5b

4. Amancio Ortega at $US75.7b

5. Mark Zuckerberg at $73.2b

AUSTRALIA'S FIVE RICHEST:

* Gina Rinehart (ranked 85th) at $14.9b

* Harry Triguboff (213) at $US7.52b

* Ivan Glasenberg (256) at $US6.42b

* Anthony Pratt (316) at $US5.75b

* Frank Lowy (346) at $US5.44b

Source: Bloomberg Billionaires Index