Value of global UHNWI art and collectible wealth 2020-2025, by region

Ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWI) are defined as individuals who have a net worth of more than 30 million U.S. dollars in constant 2018 dollars. In 2020, the total value of the art and collectible wealth of UHNWI worldwide amounted to approximately 1.48 trillion U.S. dollars. That year, North America accounted for the highest share of the market, with around 668 billion U.S. dollars in UNHWI art and collectible wealth. This figure was forecast to reach 828 billion U.S. dollars in 2025.

The fine art auction market

An important segment of the global art market, fine art auctions are among the most common ways to acquire valuable artworks, antiques, and collectibles. In 2020, Christie’s had the highest number of fine art lots sold at leading auction houses worldwide, with more than 14 thousand lots sold that year. Meanwhile, Sotheby’s - which placed second in terms of fine art lots sold - was the auction house with the highest revenue at fine art auctions in 2020.

Leading artists at auctions

In 2020, Pablo Picasso was the artist with the highest auction revenue worldwide. When focusing on the revenue of leading artists born after 1980, Beeple recorded the highest figure between July 2020 and June 2021, with his artworks fetching nearly 70 million U.S. dollars at auctions. In the same period, the most popular contemporary artist based on auction sales worldwide was Jean-Michel Basquiat. Overall, works by the neo-expressionist artist generated roughly 386 million U.S. dollars between July 2020 and June 2021.