Over the last five years, the number of Europeans with a net worth exceeding $30 million has increased by a quarter. This elite club is joined by more than 20 people every day, with Germany remaining the undisputed leader in growth across Europe.
Record Growth in the Ultra-Wealthy Population
According to the Knight Frank Wealth Report 2026, the number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) in Europe—those with assets of at least $30 million (roughly 25.7 million euros)—is showing impressive momentum.
Between 2021 and 2026, their numbers surged by 26%, rising from 146,525 to 183,953 individuals. This means that 37,428 people joined the ranks of the European ultra-wealthy over a five-year period. On a daily basis, this equates to an average increase of 7,486 people per year, or approximately 20.5 new members every day across the continent.
A Contrast Against Broader Inequality
The rapid expansion of the ultra-wealthy population stands in stark contrast to data regarding the financial status of average Europeans. According to a 2023 report by the European Central Bank (ECB), the median net worth of households in the eurozone is 123,500 euros.
However, the wealth gap remains immense: the bottom 20% of the population holds assets averaging just 2,000 euros, while the richest 20% possess fortunes of more than 1.01 million euros.
Germany: The Primary Driver of European Wealth
The distribution of ultra-wealthy individuals across Europe is also uneven. Germany is the clear leader in terms of UHNWI growth rates. In this country, an average of five people attain the status of owning $30 million every single day. Over five years, the German ultra-wealthy club expanded by 9,273 people, reaching a total of 38,215 individuals. This makes Germany not only the leader in Europe but also the third-ranked country in the world by the total number of such millionaires.
Other major European economies are also showing steady growth:
- France adds an average of 2.1 new members daily (a total five-year increase of 3,781 people, reaching 21,518 UHNWIs).
- The UK and Italy show identical daily growth rates of 1.6 people each. In the UK, the total number of ultra-wealthy individuals stands at 27,876, placing the country second in Europe for its overall millionaire count.
- Spain is growing at a rate of 1.5 people per day.
- Turkey shows a daily increase of 1.1 new participants.
The Global Wealth Race
Despite the impressive figures from Europe, other leaders dominate the global landscape of the ultra-wealthy. The United States is home to the largest population of individuals with fortunes of $30 million or more, reaching 251,352 in 2026. The American club is expanding faster than any other in the world, adding 36.7 members daily—effectively one new ultra-wealthy individual every 90 minutes.
China holds the second global position with 121,677 UHNWIs (approximately 12.5 new members per day). Rounding out the global top 10 are India (4.2 people per day) and Australia (2.2 people per day), which are the only non-European countries on this list besides the U.S. and China.
Globally, the number of ultra-wealthy individuals increased by 162,191 over the five-year period, reaching a historic high of 713,626 people (an average of 89 new members every day).
"We are witnessing one of the most significant shifts in global wealth distribution in recent history," notes Liam Bailey, head of global research at Knight Frank. "While the US remains the dominant driver, we are also seeing the rising power of India and several rapidly maturing economies that are now defining the global landscape."
