Key facts
- Switzerland leads the global average wealth per adult ranking with €777,506.
- The US ranks second in average wealth per adult with €594,651.
- Western Europe holds 21.9% of global personal wealth, compared to the US's 38.1%.
- Luxembourg has the highest average wealth per adult in the EU at €559,170.
- When measured by median wealth, Luxembourg leads with €336,498, while the US drops to third.
- Germany ranks last globally in median wealth per adult at €45,679.
The UBS Global Wealth Report 2026 reveals significant disparities in wealth distribution globally, with the United States leading in average wealth per adult but showing a different picture when median wealth is considered. Switzerland tops the global average wealth ranking with €777,506 per adult, followed by the US with €594,651. Western Europe as a region accounts for 21.9% of global personal wealth, while the US holds 38.1% across 56 surveyed countries.
Within Europe, Luxembourg leads in average wealth per adult at €559,170, with Hong Kong, Australia, and Singapore also ranking highly. Other European nations in the top 10 for average wealth include Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands. Among Europe's five largest economies, Germany ranks highest at 14th with €296,023, while Italy is 23rd with €238,653.
However, the report's findings change considerably when examining median wealth, which reflects the midpoint of wealth distribution. Luxembourg also leads in median wealth with €336,498, but the US drops to third place with €58,927. This significant drop highlights a concentration of extreme wealth at the top in the US. Germany's median wealth is particularly low at €45,679, ranking last globally among the surveyed economies. Italy, the UK, France, and Spain show higher median wealth compared to their average wealth rankings, suggesting a more evenly distributed middle class.
The report emphasizes that median wealth provides a more accurate representation of wealth levels prevalent in the middle of the population scale, though it does not account for purchasing power. Regionally, the US exhibits the highest average wealth per adult compared to other regions, including Western Europe, where the average wealth is less than half that of the US.