Nearly 1 million people became millionaires in 2025, with the U.S. accounting for almost half. The surge was fueled by a stock market rally that pushed financial assets to record highs, according to UBS.
Global personal wealth jumped 10.8% last year—the largest annual increase since 2017. But the gains weren't evenly distributed: median wealth actually fell in many regions, exposing widening inequality.
While average wealth climbed on the back of strong financial markets and rising non-financial assets, the gap between top earners and everyone else grew. The report underscores a familiar pattern: those already invested reaped the rewards, while others fell further behind.
The takeaway? Long-term market participation continues to be the clearest path to wealth creation—but discipline and access remain the dividing line.
Global personal wealth jumped 10.8% last year—the largest annual increase since 2017. But the gains weren't evenly distributed: median wealth actually fell in many regions, exposing widening inequality.
While average wealth climbed on the back of strong financial markets and rising non-financial assets, the gap between top earners and everyone else grew. The report underscores a familiar pattern: those already invested reaped the rewards, while others fell further behind.
The takeaway? Long-term market participation continues to be the clearest path to wealth creation—but discipline and access remain the dividing line.