Think of a club so exclusive its membership grew by a million people last year, and you'll begin to grasp the explosive, trillion-dollar world of today's High Net Worth Individuals.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the global population of High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) with investable assets of USD 1 million or more reached 22.8 million, marking a 5.1% increase from 2022.
- The number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) with USD 30 million or more in investable assets grew by 4.2% in 2023 to 243,060 globally.
- Asia-Pacific saw the highest growth in HNWI population at 7.2% in 2023, adding over 1 million new HNWIs.
- Global HNWI wealth totaled USD 86.8 trillion in 2023, up 4.7% from 2022.
- UHNWIs held USD 33 trillion in wealth in 2023, representing 38% of global HNWI wealth despite being only 1% of the population.
- The top 1% of HNWIs (those with over USD 10 million) controlled 52% of all HNWI wealth in 2023.
- The United States accounts for 40.2% of global UHNWIs in 2024.
- China hosts 10.5% of the world’s UHNWIs with 10,800 individuals in 2024.
- The UAE saw a 10% increase in UHNWIs to 4,430 in 2024.
- 52% of HNWIs are male globally in 2023.
- 45% of HNWIs in North America are female, the highest regional share.
- The average age of HNWIs is 57 years globally.
- 55% of HNWIs allocate 20-40% of portfolio to equities.
- 42% of HNWIs increased private equity investments in 2023.
- Real estate comprises 27% of HNWI portfolios on average.
The population and wealth of high-net-worth individuals grew globally in 2023.
Demographics
- 52% of HNWIs are male globally in 2023.
- 45% of HNWIs in North America are female, the highest regional share.
- The average age of HNWIs is 57 years globally.
- 28% of UHNWIs are women, up from 22% a decade ago.
- Millennials (under 40) represent 7% of global HNWIs but 10% of new millionaires.
- In Asia, 38% of HNWIs are self-made entrepreneurs.
- 62% of HNWIs inherited at least part of their wealth.
- Family offices manage wealth for 68% of UHNWIs.
- 35% of HNWIs are from tech industries.
- Finance professionals comprise 22% of HNWIs.
- Real estate is the source of wealth for 18% of HNWIs.
- In Europe, 41% of HNWIs are over 65 years old.
- 15% of new HNWIs in 2023 were under 40.
- 76% of HNWIs have children, averaging 2.3 per family.
- 29% of UHNWIs are from non-Western backgrounds.
- 51% of HNWIs hold university degrees.
- In the US, 48% of HNWIs are married with children.
- 12% of HNWIs are single parents.
- 67% of HNWIs identify as white/Caucasian globally.
- 23% of Asian HNWIs are women.
Demographics Interpretation
The global millionaire's club remains a gentlemen's agreement stubbornly skewed toward the graying and the groomed, yet a determined, younger, and more diverse cohort of self-made entrepreneurs and heiresses is slowly but surely crashing the old boys' party.
Geographic Distribution
- The United States accounts for 40.2% of global UHNWIs in 2024.
- China hosts 10.5% of the world’s UHNWIs with 10,800 individuals in 2024.
- The UAE saw a 10% increase in UHNWIs to 4,430 in 2024.
- Monaco has the highest UHNWIs per capita with 1 in 56 residents in 2024.
- Switzerland has 1 UHNW in every 1,384 residents, ranking high per capita.
- New York City has 350,000 HNWIs, the most of any city globally in 2023.
- The Bay Area (San Francisco) has 305,700 HNWIs.
- Tokyo ranks third with 298,300 HNWIs in 2023.
- London has 258,000 HNWIs, fourth globally.
- Singapore has 244,800 HNWIs in 2023.
- Los Angeles has 212,100 HNWIs.
- Hong Kong has 143,400 HNWIs.
- Beijing has 125,600 HNWIs in 2023.
- Shanghai follows with 123,400 HNWIs.
- Dubai has 68,000 HNWIs, growing rapidly.
- Mumbai has 37,400 HNWIs in 2023.
- Paris has 158,000 HNWIs.
- 48% of global wealth migration inflows went to the UAE in 2024.
- Australia attracted USD 248 billion in HNWI wealth migration over the past decade.
- 82,500 millionaires are expected to move to the UAE by 2024.
Geographic Distribution Interpretation
America remains the overwhelming heavyweight champion of wealth, but the global ring is getting crowded as the UAE becomes the VIP lounge for millionaires on the move.
Investment and Spending Behaviors
- 55% of HNWIs allocate 20-40% of portfolio to equities.
- 42% of HNWIs increased private equity investments in 2023.
- Real estate comprises 27% of HNWI portfolios on average.
- 68% of UHNWIs use family offices for investments.
- 37% of HNWIs plan to invest more in alternatives like hedge funds in 2024.
- Fixed income allocation averages 18% among HNWIs.
- 51% of HNWIs own luxury real estate abroad.
- Annual luxury spending averages USD 250,000 per HNWI.
- 73% of HNWIs prioritize ESG in investments.
- Cash holdings average 12% of portfolios.
- 45% of UHNWIs invest in private markets.
- Art and collectibles make up 5-10% of UHNW portfolios.
- 62% of HNWIs use robo-advisors or digital tools.
- Yacht ownership is held by 12% of UHNWIs.
- 39% plan to buy private jets in next 5 years.
- Average superyacht value owned by UHNWIs is USD 25 million.
- 28% of HNWIs donate over 5% of wealth annually to philanthropy.
- Crypto allocation averages 2% among HNWIs who invest.
- 71% seek tax-efficient structures for investments.
- Education spending averages USD 150,000 per child annually for HNWIs.
- 34% of HNWIs portfolios are diversified across 5+ countries.
Investment and Spending Behaviors Interpretation
The modern high-net-worth individual is building a highly sophisticated, globally diversified, and ESG-conscious portfolio with one hand, while using the other hand to casually sign the order forms for a superyacht, a private jet, and a Swiss boarding school.
Population and Growth
- In 2023, the global population of High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) with investable assets of USD 1 million or more reached 22.8 million, marking a 5.1% increase from 2022.
- The number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) with USD 30 million or more in investable assets grew by 4.2% in 2023 to 243,060 globally.
- Asia-Pacific saw the highest growth in HNWI population at 7.2% in 2023, adding over 1 million new HNWIs.
- The United States had 7.43 million HNWIs in 2023, representing 38% of the global total and growing by 7.9% year-over-year.
- From 2013 to 2023, the global HNWI population expanded by 67%, from 13.8 million to 22.8 million.
- UHNWIs in North America increased by 8.3% in 2023, reaching 89,670 individuals with assets over USD 30 million.
- Europe’s HNWI population grew by 4.1% in 2023 to 7.9 million, driven by wealth recovery in Western Europe.
- Projections indicate the global HNWI population will reach 28.4 million by 2028, a 20% increase from 2023 levels.
- In 2023, Latin America added 112,000 new HNWIs, a 4.7% growth rate despite economic volatility.
- Middle East HNWI population surged 8.9% in 2023 to 1.2 million, fueled by oil wealth and diversification.
- Africa’s HNWI count rose 12.5% in 2023 to 133,000, the fastest regional growth globally.
- By 2028, UHNWIs are forecasted to grow 28% to 393,000 worldwide.
- China’s HNWI population increased 4.5% in 2023 to 1.07 million, maintaining its position as Asia’s leader.
- India added 261,000 HNWIs in 2023, a 12.3% growth, pushing total to 850,000.
- Japan’s HNWI population stood at 3.4 million in 2023, up 2.1% amid yen depreciation effects.
- Germany had 2.8 million HNWIs in 2023, growing 3.7%.
- The UK’s HNWI count reached 2.5 million in 2023, with 4.2% growth.
- France recorded 2.3 million HNWIs in 2023, up 3.9%.
- Canada’s HNWI population grew 7.4% to 806,000 in 2023.
- Australia added 54,000 HNWIs in 2023, reaching 1.2 million total, a 4.7% rise.
- Switzerland’s HNWI population was 1.1 million in 2023, growing 3.2%.
- Brazil had 307,000 HNWIs in 2023, up 2.8%.
- South Africa’s HNWI count increased 11.2% to 38,000 in 2023.
- Singapore’s HNWI population reached 333,000 in 2023, with 5.6% growth.
- Hong Kong had 129,000 UHNWIs in 2023, but saw a slight decline of 1.2%.
Population and Growth Interpretation
While the gilded class swells globally, with a club of 22.8 million millionaires expanding at a brisk 5.1%, the real story is a shifting of fortunes, as Asia-Pacific surges ahead and Africa leads the growth race, proving that new money is flowing far beyond the old, established centers of wealth.
Wealth Distribution
- Global HNWI wealth totaled USD 86.8 trillion in 2023, up 4.7% from 2022.
- UHNWIs held USD 33 trillion in wealth in 2023, representing 38% of global HNWI wealth despite being only 1% of the population.
- The top 1% of HNWIs (those with over USD 10 million) controlled 52% of all HNWI wealth in 2023.
- US HNWIs held USD 26.4 trillion in 2023, 30% of global HNWI wealth.
- Average HNWI wealth globally was USD 3.8 million in 2023.
- Asia-Pacific HNWI wealth grew 7.9% to USD 24.5 trillion in 2023.
- European HNWI wealth reached USD 25.2 trillion in 2023, up 3.8%.
- UHNWIs with USD 50-100 million held 15% of total UHNW wealth in 2023.
- Global wealth held by HNWIs is projected to reach USD 109 trillion by 2027.
- North America’s HNWI wealth increased 7.2% to USD 28.1 trillion in 2023.
- China’s HNWI wealth totaled USD 5.8 trillion in 2023, up 4.8%.
- Japan’s HNWI wealth was USD 8.9 trillion in 2023, despite currency challenges.
- The UK held USD 3.4 trillion in HNWI wealth in 2023.
- Germany’s HNWI wealth grew to USD 4.1 trillion in 2023.
- India’s HNWI wealth surged 11.5% to USD 1.3 trillion in 2023.
- Brazil’s HNWI wealth was USD 1.2 trillion in 2023.
- UHNWIs with over USD 1 billion (centimillionaires) numbered 28,420 in 2023, holding USD 15 trillion.
- Middle East HNWI wealth grew 9.2% to USD 3.1 trillion in 2023.
- Latin America’s HNWI wealth increased 4.5% to USD 4.8 trillion in 2023.
- Africa’s HNWI wealth rose 11.8% to USD 1.0 trillion in 2023.
- France’s HNWI wealth totaled USD 3.2 trillion in 2023.
- Switzerland held USD 2.3 trillion in HNWI wealth in 2023.
- Singapore’s HNWI wealth was USD 1.1 trillion in 2023.
- South Africa’s HNWI wealth grew to USD 400 billion in 2023.
Wealth Distribution Interpretation
The statistics reveal a global wealth pyramid so steep that its apex, occupied by a mere 1% of high-net-worth individuals who control over a third of the riches, seems less like a peak and more like a separate financial stratosphere orbiting the rest of us.