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5 Mar, 2015

Number of global ultra-rich swells to almost 173,000 – The Guardian

The world’s super-rich continued their seemingly unstoppable rise last year with the number of people worth $30m (£19.7m) or more expanding to 172,850. Between them they control nearly $22tn in assets – more than the national output of the US and Germany combined.

Almost 5,300 people joined the ranks of so-called ultra high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), adding $7bn to the wealth of the global elite. Their numbers are forecast to swell by another third over the next decade to 230,000, according to the latest wealth report from upmarket estate agents Knight Frank.

The swelling of UHNWIs promises increasing competition among buyers for vineyards, ski chalets and riding stables. Asia’s wealthiest are keen buyers of wine estates, those from Africa and the Middle East favour equestrian properties while Europe and North America’s super-rich stick to second homes in the Alps or the Rockies.

Read the rest: Number of ultra-rich swells to almost 173,000 | Business | The Guardian.