Elon Musk, a South Africa-born entrepreneur, is currently the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and the Boring Company. He also acquired Twitter, now known as X. As of 2024, Musk’s net worth fluctuates but is estimated to be around $243.7 billion, according to Forbes. This exceptional figure positions him as the wealthiest person on Earth, with a fortune of approximately 24,370 crores USD, or roughly 20.45 lakh crores in Indian Rupees. No one else currently comes close to Musk’s net worth, thanks largely to the success of his companies, especially Tesla and SpaceX.
On the other hand, India, the world’s most populous country with over 1.4 billion people, is the seventh-largest by land area and is the fifth-largest economy globally. According to Forbes, India’s GDP stands at $3.94 trillion USD, equivalent to around 331 lakh crores in Indian Rupees as of 2024.
When we consider that one Elon Musk has a net worth of 20.45 lakh crores, we find that 16 Elon Musks would collectively be worth (16 * 20.45) lakh crores, which equals approximately 331 lakh crores. Thus, we see that the combined net worth of 16 Elon Musks is roughly equal to India’s GDP, which stands at around 331 lakh crores.
Interestingly, South Africa, the country where Elon Musk was born, has a GDP of around $38,200 crores USD. This means that South Africa’s entire GDP is less than twice Musk’s net worth.
While comparing a country’s GDP with an individual’s net worth might seem unconventional, it offers a unique perspective. It illustrates just how massive Musk’s fortune is when viewed alongside the economic output of entire nations. The more Elon Musk’s it takes to match a country’s GDP, the larger that country’s economy, and vice versa.
India’s GDP and Musk’s net worth are both on upward trajectories, but which will rise faster in the future? Only time will tell. But, one thing is certain that the comparison between Musk’s net worth and India’s GDP offers a fascinating glimpse into the vast scales of wealth and economic power in our world today.