Latest Global Wealth Report: The U.S. creates 36 new billionaires daily, India becomes the fastest-growing dark horse

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Author: Knight Frank

Translation: Felix, PANews

The global private real estate consulting firm Knight Frank recently released the “Wealth Report 2026,” which highlights the rapid expansion of global private wealth and the dynamic changes in regional distribution. PANews summarizes the core content of the report.

The report shows that from 2021 to 2026, the number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (wealth exceeding $30 million) worldwide increased from 551,435 to 713,626, adding 162,191 ultra-high-net-worth individuals over five years, or an average of 89 people per day surpassing the $30 million mark.

The United States led this wealth growth. During this period, 41% of all new ultra-high-net-worth individuals came from the U.S. The U.S. share of global ultra-high-net-worth individuals steadily rose from 33% in 2021 to 35% in 2026. By 2031, the U.S. is expected to account for 41% of the total global ultra-high-net-worth population.

China remains the second-largest wealth creation center globally, although its relative position is declining. China’s share of global ultra-high-net-worth individuals decreased from 18% in 2021 to 17% in 2026, and is projected to further fall to 15% by 2031. In fact, almost all countries are losing their global market share to accommodate the continued growth of U.S. wealth.

India is an exception. Between 2021 and 2026, its ultra-high-net-worth population (over $30 million) surged by 63%, from just over 12k to nearly 20k. India’s share of global ultra-high-net-worth individuals is only 2.8%, higher than just over 2% five years ago. By 2031, India’s ultra-high-net-worth population is expected to grow from the current 19,877 to 25,217.

Australia holds a position in the global wealth landscape far beyond its size. The number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals is expected to grow nearly 60% in the next five years, reaching 26,095, nearly one in a thousand of the total population. Australia has a large group of billionaires, and from 2026 to 2031, this number is projected to increase by 77%.

Regionally, the global wealth landscape is mainly dominated by three major regions.

North America leads, accounting for 37% of the global ultra-high-net-worth individuals in 2026. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for nearly 31% of ultra-high-net-worth individuals in 2026. Europe follows closely, with 183,953 super-rich individuals, about a quarter of the global total. Outside these regions, the Middle East performs notably. Over the past five years, the Middle East’s share of global wealthy individuals increased from 2.4% to 3.1%.

Additionally, the geographic distribution of the 3,110 billionaires worldwide is more dispersed than that of the broader ultra-high-net-worth group. The Asia-Pacific has the most billionaires, totaling 1,116, followed by North America with 965. The Middle East’s billionaires account for just over 4% of the global total, far higher than their share among ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

Looking ahead, the growth of billionaires is expected to show high regional diversity. By percentage, Saudi Arabia is projected to lead, with billionaire numbers increasing by 183%, followed by Poland (123%), Sweden (81%), and Australia (77%). This highlights the increasingly globalized trend of billionaire growth in the future.

Over the next five years, the growth of ultra-high-net-worth individuals worldwide will not be driven by traditional economic powers but by some rapidly maturing economies. Indonesia ranks first, with an expected 82% increase in ultra-high-net-worth individuals over $30 million by 2031. Close behind are Saudi Arabia and Poland, both with growth rates exceeding 60%. Nearly 60% growth in Vietnam underscores the rapid rise of Southeast Asia’s emerging wealth centers.

Europe also performs strongly, with Sweden, Romania, and Greece all achieving significant growth. Although wealth remains concentrated in a few major global economies, its regional distribution is continuously expanding.

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