Super-Rich Explosion: Global Wealth Redistribution

The number of “centi-millionaires” – people with at least US$100mn in liquid investable assets – has ballooned by more than 50% over the last ten years.

It’s a “super-rich explosion”, declares wealth and investment migration advisor Henley & Partners after delving into data from research house New World Wealth, which tells us the world’s centi-millionaire headcount jumped 54% from 2013 to reach 29,350 individuals in 2023.

“Over the past decade, the accepted benchmark for ‘super-wealthy’ status has risen dramatically, from US$30mn in the late 1990s to a staggering US$100mn today,” comments Henley’s CEO, Dr Juerg Steffen.

America and China have seen the biggest surges in super-wealth, experiencing “what can only be described as a centi-millionaire boom” and significantly outperforming European counterparts.

China’s $100mn+ club has more than doubled in size within ten years (+108%), while the US has seen an 81% increase.

Europe’s centi-millionaire growth, meanwhile, has been “anaemic” and “lethargic” – climbing by only 26% over the past decade.

It's not extreme to state that Europe’s major markets – the UK, Germany, and France – are holding back the Euro bloc’s performance. Pockets of dynamism exist, with smaller European markets such as Monaco, Malta, Montenegro, and Poland seeing their centi-millionaire populations surge by 75% or more. However, the geography of extreme affluence is shifting.

As UHNW groups continue to grow and migrate, their influence on global economics, politics, and society is expected to be profound and far-reaching.