UBS Global Wealth Report Shows Richer's Wealth Surges, Inequality Grows

The UBS Global Wealth Report finds personal wealth worldwide grew by nearly 11% last year, more than double the growth rate of the prior two years. While total wealth increased, median wealth fell in most surveyed countries, indicating that gains are concentrated among the affluent.

The United States holds the largest share of global wealth—over a third of total personal assets—and accounts for almost half of the world’s new millionaires, creating about 1,200 new millionaires each day. UBS categorises high‑net‑worth adults into three tiers ($5‑10 million, $10‑50 million, $50‑100 million), totalling roughly 7 million individuals globally, with more than 4 million residing in the US. Over the past five years, the US segment of people with $5 million‑$100 million grew at around 7%, with their collective wealth rising about 8%. The global billionaire count now stands at roughly 3,300, up 13% from the previous year, and their combined wealth increased by about 25%.

The report notes that the lower wealth brackets are nearly equal in size, with those holding under $10,000 and those holding $10,000‑$100,000 each representing about 42% and 41% of the world’s population respectively, suggesting a reshaping of the traditional wealth pyramid.