The figure sounds spectacular: In 2025, almost one million new US-dollar millionaires were created worldwide. That equals more than 2,600 people per day. But the new UBS Global Wealth Report shows not only growing wealth, but also how unevenly it is being generated.
The number of US-dollar millionaires rose significantly worldwide in 2025. According to the latest Global Wealth Report by UBS, almost one million people crossed the threshold of one million US dollars in net worth within one year. On average, that equals more than 2,600 new millionaires per day.
The main drivers were resilient stock markets, rising asset values and still-high property prices in many countries. Growth was particularly strong in the United States. According to the report, more than 1,200 new millionaires were created there every day, accounting for almost half of the global increase.
Wealth Grows Where Wealth Already Exists
The development shows how closely wealth creation is now tied to capital market ownership. Those who own stocks, funds, company shares or real estate were able to benefit from the market recovery. Those who mainly rely on earned income, however, felt much less of this wealth growth.
That is where the real significance of the figures lies. At first glance, the rise in the number of millionaires looks like a sign of economic strength. In reality, it also shows that wealth in many countries is growing faster than wages and salaries.
Being a Millionaire Does Not Always Mean Being Rich
There is another important distinction: A net worth of one million US dollars can mean very different things depending on the country, location and asset structure. In expensive real estate markets, millionaire status can already be reached through home ownership and retirement savings, without necessarily creating major financial freedom.
Still, the trend matters. The global wealth pyramid is continuing to shift upward. For banks, wealth managers and financial service providers, this creates an increasingly attractive target group. At the same time, the social question remains: how broadly is wealth creation really shared, and who is being left behind?
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