Global wealth concentration rises as ultra-rich populations surge

Global wealth trends indicate a significant increase in extreme wealth, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between March and September 2020, the wealth of ultra-rich Americans grew by 28.7%, rising from $2.947 trillion to $3.792 trillion. This surge coincided with a $3 trillion increase in the stock market value of the world's top 100 companies.

Reports from AsviS highlight that the pandemic has hindered progress toward the UN 2030 Agenda, with nine out of 17 indicators—including poverty, healthcare, and inequality—showing deterioration. In Italy, deposits from wealthy families and large companies increased by €125 billion compared to 2019, while the number of people living in relative poverty rose from 8.8 million to over 14 million.

Data from the Knight Frank Wealth Report 2026 shows that the number of individuals with assets exceeding $30 million continues to rise globally. The United States leads in absolute growth, expected to add nearly 67,000 ultra-wealthy individuals between 2021 and 2026. However, Poland and Qatar are seeing the fastest percentage growth, both projected to more than double their ultra-wealthy populations by 2026. India also shows significant strength in both new wealth generation and growth rates.