Half of Global Wealth Held by Just 1.5% of the Wealthiest, Concentrated Mainly in the US and China

October 1, Kathmandu – Although personal wealth worldwide continues to rise, the gap between the rich and the poor is deepening. According to the Global Wealth Report 2026 published by Swiss bank UBS, nearly half (48.4%) of the world’s total personal wealth is concentrated in the hands of only 1.5% of the richest individuals. The report states that 58 million adults with wealth exceeding one million US dollars collectively control assets worth 250.59 trillion dollars. Conversely, about 42.1% of adults globally—approximately 1.62 billion people—with less than 10,000 dollars in net worth, hold just 0.6% (3.22 trillion dollars) of total wealth. This highlights the reality that in underdeveloped and developing countries like Nepal, the majority of citizens still struggle at the very bottom of the wealth pyramid.
In neighboring India, millionaires lead among the 56 major markets included in UBS’s report, where more than 92% of the world’s total wealth is concentrated. Nepal is not part of this list of 56 markets, but India is the only South Asian nation featured, with 944,000 millionaires. Across all tracked markets, there are around 57.5 million millionaires globally. In 2025 alone, nearly one million new millionaires emerged worldwide, averaging about 2,680 new millionaires daily.
The report also reveals significant wealth concentration in two global superpowers. The United States and Greater China (including China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan) together hold more than half of the world’s personal wealth. The US accounts for 35.7% of total assets, while Greater China holds 18.5%. Western Europe possesses 21.9% of global wealth. In terms of average wealth per adult, Switzerland ranks first globally with $910,382 per adult, followed by the US with $696,277.
Emerging markets hold 26.2% of global wealth, down from 28.8% in 2022. Despite overall growth in assets, wealth distribution remains markedly uneven. UBS reported a 10.8% increase in total personal wealth across the studied markets in 2025. The divide among wealth groups is also pronounced: 1.62 billion adults with net assets under $10,000 collectively hold $3.22 trillion; 1.58 billion adults with assets between $10,000 and $100,000 hold $63.16 trillion; 588 million adults with assets between $100,000 and $1 million have $200.72 trillion; and the top 58 million adults hold $250.59 trillion in wealth.
Financial and real estate wealth composition varies by country. UBS data shows that in Sweden, 83.6% of total personal wealth is financial assets; in Taiwan, it is 80.8%; and in the US, approximately 79%. Being a millionaire does not mean having $1 million cash in a bank account. UBS points out that for typical millionaires owning assets between $1 million and $5 million, their primary holding is often their home. Home value appreciation can raise total wealth without increasing liquid cash or income, enabling individuals to qualify as millionaires. However, liquid assets—typically cash, bank deposits, voluntary pension savings, mutual funds, and direct equity investments—represent immediate spending capability. Mandatory pension savings and the value of real estate are excluded from liquid assets. This underscores that despite rising global wealth, significant disparities remain in both distribution and asset composition.