Author: Knight Frank
Compiled by: Felix, PANews
Global private real estate advisory firm Knight Frank recently released the "2026 Wealth Report," highlighting the rapid expansion of global private wealth and dynamic shifts in its geographic distribution. PANews summarizes the key findings of the report.
The report shows that the number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (net worth exceeding $30 million) globally increased from 551,435 in 2021 to 713,626 in 2026, adding 162,191 new ultra-high-net-worth individuals over five years, or an average of 89 people per day reaching the $30 million threshold.
The United States led this wealth growth. During this period, 41% of all new ultra-high-net-worth individuals came from the United States. The U.S. share of global ultra-high-net-worth individuals rose steadily from 33% in 2021 to 35% in 2026, and by 2031, the United States may account for 41% of the world’s total ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
China remains the world’s second-largest wealth creation center, although its relative position is declining. China’s share of global ultra-high-net-worth individuals has fallen from 18% in 2021 to 17% in 2026, and is projected to decline further to 15% by 2031. In fact, nearly all countries are losing their global market share to accommodate the continued growth of wealth in the United States.
India, however, is an exception. Between 2021 and 2026, the number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals with over $30 million in wealth surged by 63%, rising from just over 12,000 to nearly 20,000. India’s share of global ultra-high-net-worth individuals has increased to 2.8%, up from just over 2% five years ago. By 2031, India’s ultra-high-net-worth population is projected to grow from the current 19,877 to 25,217.
Australia holds a position in the global wealth landscape far beyond its size. Over the next five years, its ultra-high-net-worth individual population is expected to grow nearly 60% to 26,095, nearly one in every thousand people. Australia has a substantial population of billionaires, projected to increase by 77% between 2026 and 2031.
Regionally, the global wealth landscape is primarily dominated by three regions.
North America leads, accounting for 37% of the world’s ultra-high-net-worth individuals in 2026. Asia-Pacific represents nearly 31% of ultra-high-net-worth individuals in 2026. Europe follows closely, with 183,953 billionaires, making up about a quarter of the global total. Beyond these regions, the Middle East stands out: its share of global billionaires has increased from 2.4% to 3.1% over the past five years.
Additionally, the geographic distribution of the world’s 3,110 billionaires is more dispersed than that of the broader ultra-high-net-worth population. Asia-Pacific has the highest number of billionaires at 1,116, followed by North America with 965. The Middle East accounts for just over 4% of all billionaires globally, significantly higher than its share among ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
Looking ahead, the growth of billionaires is expected to be highly geographically diverse. By percentage, Saudi Arabia is projected to lead, with a 183% increase in the number of billionaires, followed by Poland (123%), Sweden (81%), and Australia (77%). This highlights the increasingly global nature of future billionaire growth.
Over the next five years, the growth in global ultra-high-net-worth individuals will not be led by traditional economies, but by rapidly maturing ones. Indonesia leads the pack, with its population of ultra-high-net-worth individuals—those with over $30 million—expected to surge by 82% by 2031. Following closely are Saudi Arabia and Poland, both with growth rates exceeding 60%. Vietnam’s nearly 60% increase highlights the rapid rise of Southeast Asia as a new hub for wealth.
Europe also performed strongly, with Sweden, Romania, and Greece all achieving significant growth. Although wealth remains concentrated among a few global economic powers, its geographic distribution is continuing to expand.
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