Slim’s fortune grew by a massive $18.5 billion from 2009 to a whopping $53.3 billion, enough to unseat Mr. Gates. Warren Buffet is at third.

It’s been a tough year for many billionaires but check out who’s trailing Buffet in the top 5 list – Indians Mukesh Ambani and Lakshmi Mittal.

It’s a bit disconcerting though that the world’s top billionaires come from places where poverty is rampant. The US is still home to most of the world’s billionaires. Europe comes second but the Asia Pacfic comes at a very close third.

1. Carlos Slim – $53.3 bn
2. Bill Gates – $53 bn
3. Warren Buffet – $47 bn
4. Mukesh Ambani – $29 bn
5. Lakshmi Mittal – $28.7 bn