The number of ultra-wealthy people worldwide reached a record 556,850 by the end of 2025 as rising financial markets boosted fortunes at the top, according to Altrata’s World Ultra Wealth Report 2026.
Individuals with a net worth exceeding $30 million increased by 14.4%, marking the fastest annual growth since 2017 and the second consecutive year of double-digit gains. Their combined wealth also rose 14.3% to $63.8 trillion, with Altrata estimating that more than 120,000 people joined the group over the past two years.
Altrata attributed much of the increase to strong stock market performance. Solid corporate earnings, easing inflation, fiscal and monetary support, interest rate cuts and investments linked to artificial intelligence drove gains in equities, businesses, bonds and other assets held by wealthy investors. It also noted that every major asset class posted positive returns in 2025 for the first time since the pandemic.
“What we’ve been seeing in the past decade is, on the whole, it’s been going up over time and it’s been growing quickly,” Altrata Senior Director Maya Imberg told The Wall Street Journal.
The United States remained home to the world’s largest ultra-wealthy population, with 206,880 individuals holding an estimated $23.8 trillion in wealth. China followed with 55,490, while Germany ranked third with 28,330. Among the three largest wealth regions, Asia recorded the fastest growth at 15.8%, while Africa posted the highest regional increase overall at 23.7%, despite having only 3,440 ultra-wealthy individuals.
Altrata said its figures are estimates based on a proprietary model covering 70 economies that account for about 98% of global economic output. Other organizations reported different totals because of varying methodologies. Capgemini estimated around 250,000 people with at least $30 million in investable assets, excluding primary residences and collectibles, while Knight Frank placed the figure at 713,626 in 2026.
Although estimates vary, the reports point to the same trend of rapidly expanding wealth at the top. Altrata said ultra-wealthy individuals represent just 1.1% of the world’s millionaires but control 32% of millionaire wealth. Meanwhile, the World Inequality Report 2026 found that the richest 10% own 75% of global wealth, while the poorest half holds only 2%.
Altrata projects the global ultra-wealthy population will grow to 746,570 by 2030, with their combined wealth nearing $85 trillion.
