Summary UBS said total personal wealth increased by 10.8% in 2025, more than doubling the 4.6% growth recorded in 2024 and exceeding the 4.2% rise seen in 2023
ZURICH (Reuters) – Global personal wealth expanded at its fastest pace in several years in 2025, creating nearly one million new US dollar millionaires worldwide, driven by strong financial markets and rising asset prices, according to the UBS Global Wealth Report 2026 released on Tuesday.
UBS said total personal wealth increased by 10.8% in 2025, more than doubling the 4.6% growth recorded in 2024 and exceeding the 4.2% rise seen in 2023.
The report found that there were "more millionaires than ever, everywhere" in 2025, with the United States accounting for almost half of all newly created millionaires. More than 440,000 Americans joined the ranks of US dollar millionaires during the year, reflecting strong gains in financial markets and asset values.
Wealth measured in US dollar terms also rose sharply across Europe, largely due to the depreciation of the US dollar against the euro, which boosted the dollar value of European assets.
Despite the robust increase in overall wealth, UBS said the gains were unevenly distributed. While average wealth continued to rise, median wealth — a better indicator of the financial position of a typical household — declined in many countries, underscoring a widening gap between the wealthiest individuals and the broader population.
The findings suggest that much of the increase in global wealth was concentrated among higher-income households, with wealth inequality continuing to deepen in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the report, UBS analyzed household wealth across 56 markets, representing more than 92% of global wealth. The study measures wealth by combining financial assets, real estate holdings and other real assets, while accounting for household debt.
Looking ahead, UBS said global wealth is expected to continue growing, although the pace will depend on economic conditions, financial market performance, inflation, interest rates and geopolitical developments. The bank also said demographic changes and one of the largest intergenerational wealth transfers in history are likely to reshape the global distribution of wealth over the coming decades.
This version follows an international wire-service style, adding context and explaining the significance of the report without becoming overly detailed.
