Global Wealth Report 2017

Global Wealth Report 2017

Wealth per adult across countries
Switzerland (USD 537,600), Australia (USD 402,600) and the United States (USD 388,600) continue to occupy the first three positions in the ranking of wealth per adult .... The ranking by median wealth per adult
favors countries with lower levels of wealth inequality and produces a somewhat different ranking.  In contrast, high wealth inequality pushes Denmark (USD 87,200) out of the top ten list, while median wealth of USD 55,900 relegates the United States to 21st place, alongside Austria and Greece

Once debts have been subtracted, a person needed only USD 3,582 to be among the wealthiest half of
world citizens in mid-2017. However, USD 76,754 is required to be a member of the top 10% of global
wealth holders, and USD 770,368 to belong to the top 1%. While the bottom half of adults collectively
own less than 1% of total wealth, the richest decile (top 10% of adults) owns 88% of global assets, and the top percentile alone accounts for half of total household wealth.


Monitoring world wealth
Wealth is a key component of the economic system, valued as a source of finance for future consumption
particularly in retirement, and for reducing vulnerability to shocks such as unemployment, ill health, or natural disasters. Wealth also enhances opportunities for informal sector and entrepreneurial activities, when used either directly or as collateral for loans. These functions are less important in countries that have generous state pensions, adequate social safety nets, good public healthcare, high-quality public education, and well-developed business finance...Valued at current exchange rates, total global wealth increased by USD 16.7 trillion, or 6.4%, in the year to mid-2017. Controlling for exchange rate movements, the rise was a little larger, at USD 18.9 trillion. The United States again led the way with a gain of USD 8.5 trillion, most arising from financial assets. Elsewhere, however, the gains derived primarily from non-financial assets.

Wealth varies greatly across individuals in every part of the world. Our estimates suggest that the lower
half of global adults collectively owns less than 1% of global wealth, while the richest 10% of adults own
88% of all wealth and the top 1% account for half of all global assets.