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Though most of the past year's richest men would be carrying on their title in 2012, there are certain realignments in the order, thanks to the eurozone crisis and the global economic slowdown.

The wealth of these High Networth Individuals (HNI) is tracked by the deals they close, their high value real estate transactions , ownership of luxury items, and the charity contributions they made during the previous year.

The net worth of these individuals is decided on the basis of valuations of their equity holdings in public and private firms, real estate assets, yachts, art and the amount of cash they own. Individual debts are also a deciding factor of the richest of the world.

The 2012 ranking reinforces the fact that the emerging BRIC economies still have more billionaires than other nations.

China is now a country of more than 115 billionaires and the country currently has more than a million millionaires, an indication of more future billionaires from the land of the dragon. Brazil, Russia and India also register increases in their billionaire numbers in 2012 though the net worth of the individuals has come down significantly.

The top ten list of the world's richest men 2012 has some changes in the order compared to 2011.

Check out the slideshow to know who made it to the list of 10 richest billionaires in the world 2012, in accordance with their ranking.