Core Insights - The UBS report indicates that by 2025, the number of billionaires globally will reach a historic peak of 2,900, with an increase of 287 billionaires in one year, marking a growth rate second only to 2021 [1][4] - The total wealth controlled by billionaires is projected to reach $15.8 trillion, a 13% increase from $14 trillion in 2024, highlighting a trend of accelerated wealth concentration [1][4] Group 1: Wealth Growth Drivers - The primary drivers for the increase in the number and wealth of billionaires are the rising valuations of global tech stocks and overall stock market strength, which provide robust support for the wealth appreciation of the ultra-rich [2] - Judy Spalthoff from UBS predicts continued growth in the billionaire population and wealth in the coming year [2] Group 2: Wealth Distribution and Inequality - The report highlights a stark contrast between the soaring wealth of billionaires and the structural inequalities in global wealth distribution, with a K-shaped divergence becoming increasingly evident [3] - The global Gini coefficient is nearing the warning threshold of 0.7, significantly exceeding the risk threshold of 0.6, indicating extreme wealth distribution imbalance [3][25] Group 3: Billionaire Demographics - Among the 2,919 billionaires, 2,059 are self-made, while 860 inherited their wealth, showcasing a dual path to billionaire status [5][6] - In 2025, 91 individuals became billionaires through inheritance, with a total inherited wealth of $298 billion, predominantly in the U.S. [6] Group 4: Regional Distribution - The Asia-Pacific region is identified as the core engine for billionaire growth, with the number of billionaires increasing from 981 to 1,036, led by mainland China with 470 billionaires [9] - The U.S. remains home to nearly one-third of the world's billionaires, with their total wealth rising by 18% to $17.5 trillion [9] Group 5: Investment Preferences - Billionaires are showing a strong preference for equities, particularly in the U.S., with 43% planning to increase their public equity holdings in the next 12 months [11] - Confidence in the U.S. as an investment destination has declined, with the percentage of billionaires seeing opportunities dropping from 80% to 63% [13] Group 6: Mobility Trends - Over one-third (36%) of billionaires have relocated, with many seeking better quality of life and favorable tax conditions, indicating a trend towards wealth concentration in policy-friendly regions [16] - The UAE, Hong Kong, and Singapore are emerging as key hubs for wealthy individuals, while cities like London are experiencing outflows due to declining living conditions [16] Group 7: Socioeconomic Implications - The report underscores the growing divide between the wealthy and the general population, with ordinary citizens facing rising inflation and stagnant wages, leading to a K-shaped economic recovery [17][18] - The wealth concentration among the top 1% is becoming increasingly unsustainable, posing risks to social stability and economic growth [25][29]
全球亿万富翁人数和财富再创纪录,普通人却艰难度日,K型分化撕裂全球