Try our business solution for free!

Investments of high-net-worth individuals - statistics & facts

In a world where wealth continues to accumulate in the hands of a few individuals, it is interesting to consider where they keep their money, what they are investing in and who is advising them on their financial investments. As of 2021, there were around 22.5 million high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) worldwide, defined as individuals whose net worth totals over one million U.S. dollars. Net worth takes into consideration an individual’s financial assets invested in a variety of classes, such as property, land, stocks, bonds, etc. minus their debts and/or liabilities.

Where are the wealthiest individuals?

Both the number of high-net-worth individuals, and the value of HNWI’s assets are quite evenly distributed between North America and the Asia-Pacific, while Europe is the third largest region for HNWIs and their assets. However, the number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI), defined as individuals whose net worth exceeded 30 million U.S. dollars, is far greater in North America, and higher in Europe than in Asia. Most UHNWIs come from the United States, almost four times as many as in China, the country with the second highest number of UHNWIs.

What assets and investments comprise the net worth of these individuals?

Most of the assets of HNWIs in 2022 were allocated to equity securities, which accounted for the largest share of HNWI’s assets worldwide, followed by fixed-income investment in second place. Equities were the second choice for asset allocation among UHNWI with alternative investment securities being the most popular. Regionally, the proportion of investable wealth allocated to assets was relatively even between different asset classes in Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. For all these regions, around one-fourth of the assets were allocated to equity investments. In Africa and Australasia, however, most of the assets were allocated to commercial property.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, Mar 16, 2023

Key insights

Wealthiest individual in the world
Elon Musk
Largest region for HNWI's assets
North America
Number of high-net-worth individuals in North America
7.9 million
Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Number of ultra high net worth individuals in selected countries in 2021

Income & Expenditure

Ultra high net worth individuals 2021, by country

Asset allocation of ultra and high net worth individuals worldwide in 2022, by wealth status

Financial Instruments & Investments

Asset allocation of ultra and high net worth individuals worldwide 2022

Portion of affluent individuals investable wealth asset allocation worldwide in 2022, by region and asset type

Financial Instruments & Investments

Portion of affluent individuals investable wealth asset allocation worldwide 2022,

Related topics

Recommended

10

Recommended statistics

Overview

7

Overview

Asset allocation

5

Asset allocation

Real estate investments

4

Real estate investments

Wealth management

7

Wealth management

Reports & StudiesGet the best reports to understand your industry

Investment banking
Investment banking
Personal luxury goods industry worldwide
Personal luxury goods industry worldwide
Billionaires around the world
Billionaires around the world
Cross-border commercial real estate investment in the United States
Cross-border commercial real estate investment in the United States
Luxury residential real estate in North America
Luxury residential real estate in North America
Investment funds
Investment funds
Investment advisors in the United States
Investment advisors in the United States

Contact

Get in touch with us. We are happy to help.
Statista Locations
Contact Vayola Jocelyn
Vayola Jocelyn
Client Support Specialist– Contact (United States)
Email
support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Contact Yolanda Mega
Yolanda Mega
Operations Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Contact Kisara Mizuno
Kisara Mizuno
Senior Business Development Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
support.japan@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Contact Lodovica Biagi
Lodovica Biagi
Director of Operations– Contact (Europe)
Email
eu.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

Contact Carolina Dulin
Carolina Dulin
Associate Director - LAC– Contact (Latin America)
Email
support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Menu