The UBS Global Wealth Report 2026 reveals wide differences in wealth per person around the world.

The US holds 38.1 percent of total personal wealth among the 56 nations covered in the study, which together account for more than 92 percent of global wealth.

Western Europe follows with 21.9 percent, while Eastern Europe represents just 3.3 percent.

Average and median wealth per adult also vary greatly, with 18 of the top 30 economies by average wealth per adult located in Europe. That number increases to 19 markets when median wealth is considered.

Which nations lead in wealth per adult, and what levels do Europeans reach?

At the close of 2025, Switzerland tops the global list with an average of €777,506 per adult. The US follows in second place at €594,651 (or $696,277). Luxembourg (€559,170) stands as the leading EU nation by this measure.

Hong Kong, Australia and Singapore come next, each exceeding €450,000.

Denmark (€446,959), Norway (€363,303) and the Netherlands (€354,673) complete the other European entries in the top 10.

Average wealth per adult also surpasses the €300,000 mark in Belgium (€348,382) and Sweden (€347,089).

No large divide among major European economies

Europe's five largest economies all feature on the list.

Germany places highest at 14th, while Italy ranks lowest at 23rd, yet average wealth figures remain fairly close.

Germany records €296,023 compared with €238,653 in Italy. France follows at €291,536, then Spain at €261,689 and the UK at €250,071.

Ireland (€268,312), Austria (€239,123), Finland (€178,610), Portugal (€167,188), Malta (€139,769) and Greece (€122,421) represent the remaining European nations in the top 30.

Median wealth reveals contrasting patterns

Switching from average to median wealth per adult alters both the figures and the order substantially. Median wealth identifies the middle value in a ranked list of all adults.

The report notes that each market features its own wealth distribution, so nations appear richer or poorer depending on the population segment examined.

Luxembourg heads the global median wealth list at €336,498, less than half its average wealth peak. Belgium ranks second, though its median drops to €236,712.

Australia (€180,018), New Zealand (€176,460) and Hong Kong (€160,533) also appear in the top 10, matching their average wealth positions.

Denmark (€174,029), Switzerland (€124,310) and Norway (€119,569) fill the other European spots in the top 10.

Major reordering among Europe's largest economies

Rankings shift completely among Europe's five biggest economies. Italy leads with the highest median wealth per adult at €111,881, placing 11th globally. Germany records the lowest at €45,679 and finishes last worldwide.

The UK (€107,042), France (€104,106) and Spain (€95,290) sit near Italy, highlighting Germany's notably lower result.

Comparing both lists shows Slovenia entering the median wealth ranking in place of the UAE.

Strong focus on extreme wealth

The US falls to third from the bottom at €58,927, a sharp contrast to its second-place average wealth position and the largest decline overall.

Germany drops 16 places from 14th to 30th. Sweden and Singapore also decline by more than 10 spots.

These nations rank much higher by average wealth than by median wealth, pointing to heavy concentration of extreme wealth at the upper end.

Japan rises 14 places from 24th to 10th. Malta, Italy, Belgium and the UK also improve markedly in median rankings, indicating a wider and more balanced middle class.

The report stresses that median wealth better reflects typical wealth levels across the broader population.

Still, none of these figures address purchasing power differences.

In regional terms, the US maintains the highest average wealth per adult. Its figure stands at €594,651, while Western Europe averages less than half that amount at €287,884 and Eastern Europe reaches only €53,055.