UBS "U.S. Millionaires, 440,000 Added Last Year"...Stock Rally Fuels Polarization Explosion

▲ Millionaires, wealth gap/AI generated image

The stock market rally has once again shaken the global wealth landscape, creating over 440,000 new millionaires in the U.S. in 2025 alone. As the benefits of rising asset prices are concentrated among financial market participants, the expansion of wealth and the deepening of inequality are simultaneously becoming prominent.

According to economic media outlet CNBC on July 2 (local time), UBS's Global Wealth Report 2026 stated that global personal wealth increased by 10.8% in U.S. dollar terms last year. This is the fastest growth rate since 2017, significantly exceeding 4.2% in 2023 and 4.6% in 2024.

The report analyzed that strong financial markets and rising non-financial asset values led to the expansion of wealth. In particular, the stock market surge played a decisive role in the increase of new millionaires in the U.S. In 2025, 441,078 new millionaires emerged in the U.S., meaning more than 1,200 people became new holders of net assets exceeding $1 million each day.

The number of millionaires worldwide, in U.S. dollar terms, increased by approximately 1 million. On average, this is more than 2,600 people per day. This is the first time that the number of millionaires has increased in all 56 markets tracked by UBS. The U.S. accounted for nearly half of the increase in new millionaires, and its total number of millionaires exceeded 23.6 million, representing more than 40% of the world's total.

Regional asset growth rates varied significantly. Europe, the Middle East, and Africa showed the strongest growth at 17.5%, while the Americas increased by 8.5%, and the Asia-Pacific region by 5.9%. UBS explained that the weakening U.S. dollar was a factor that boosted asset growth rates in regions outside the U.S.

However, the average asset increase did not translate into perceived wealth for all households. UBS pointed out that the gap between average asset and median asset trends is widening. While those who held stocks and real estate enjoyed rising asset prices, households with low financial market participation could not increase their wealth at the same pace. Although the stock market rally created a large number of millionaires, the expansion of wealth also fueled the debate over inequality.

[Article Key Summary]

-UBS announced that global personal wealth increased by 10.8% in U.S. dollar terms in 2025, the fastest rate since 2017.

-In the U.S., 441,078 new millionaires emerged, accounting for nearly half of the global increase in new millionaires.

-While stock market and real estate surges led to asset growth, the widening gap between average and median assets also expanded the debate on wealth inequality.

*Disclaimer: This article is for investment reference only, and we are not responsible for any investment losses based on it. The content should be interpreted for informational purposes only.*