Two Countries Account for Over Half of the World's Wealthiest People: Ranking

The USA and China remain the primary hubs for the world's wealthiest individuals, encompassing over half of the global total. At the same time, the fastest growth rates of wealthy populations are being demonstrated by developing economies, particularly Poland and India. This is reported by Visual Capitalist.

Where the Wealthiest People Live. Photo: Depositphotos

Where the Wealthiest Live: Top Countries of 2026

The USA ranks first with over 251,000 individuals with ultra-high net worth, which is more than double that of China, which has nearly 122,000 such citizens. Together, these two countries account for about 55% of all ultra-wealthy individuals in the ranking. The increase in capital in the USA is supported by strong stock markets, an active startup ecosystem, and a significant concentration of global corporations. Europe also retains its position as an important hub for the wealthy: Germany (38,215 individuals), the United Kingdom (27,876), and France (21,518) round out the top five.

Rapid Rise of India

Although developed economies dominate the top of the ranking, India has emerged as one of the leaders in growth rates. The country has risen from tenth place in 2021 to sixth in 2026, surpassing wealthier nations including Italy, Australia, Switzerland, and Japan. Currently, nearly 20,000 ultra-high net worth individuals reside in India. This growth is attributed to rapid economic expansion, capital market development, and the growth of the technology sector.

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New Centers of Wealth

Poland has shown a record result: since 2021, its ultra-wealthy population has increased by 109%. Other countries with significant growth include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. This confirms the emergence of new financial centers outside traditional hubs.

TOP Countries by Number of Ultra-Wealthy Individuals in 2026

Global Growth Trends

According to the Knight Frank Wealth Report 2026, which the ranking relies on, the total number of ultra-high net worth individuals (over $30 million) worldwide has reached 713,626. Since 2021, this figure has increased by over 162,000, equivalent to the emergence of 89 new ultra-wealthy individuals daily. Analysts predict that over the next five years, the number of billionaires will grow, with Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam leading in wealth growth rates.

Why Ukraine is Not on the List

According to the Tax Service, there are officially over 3,500 millionaires registered in Ukraine. Considering that the country's population as of April 2026 is about 30 million, the share of official millionaires is approximately 0.012% of the total citizen count.

When it comes to ultra-wealthy individuals, the list will be small. In the global Forbes ranking for 2026, there are only seven Ukrainian dollar billionaires with a combined wealth of $17.9 billion.

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