Asian millionaires now the wealthiest in the world

47% of world's wealth controlled by millionaires
47% of world's wealth controlled by millionaires

Step aside, American millionaires.

Your Asian counterparts are now wealthier than you are.



Related: U.S. millionaires control far more of nation's wealth than those elsewhere


Asians' net worth has soared over the past several years. The total wealth of Asia's richest residents totaled $17.4 trillion in 2015, up from $8.4 trillion in 2006. North America's wealthy have $16.6 trillion socked away, up from $11.2 trillion in 2006.

chart asian millionaires wealthiest in world

Asia also surpassed North America in terms of the number of millionaires in 2014. And their ranks grew even more last year, soaring 9.4%.

Of the 5.1 million Asian millionaires in 2015, 2.7 million came from Japan and 1 million were from China. There were 4.5 million U.S. millionaires.

chart asia millionaires

China had the fastest growth last year, hitting 16.2%, and is expected to expand even further in coming years.

Wealth in Asia is driven mainly by the financial services, high tech and health care industries. And it's coming more from those owning start-ups than from those running long-standing businesses.


Related: Singapore adding millionaires faster than Hong Kong

North American millionaires, meanwhile, saw their ranks inch up only 2%, while Europe's climbed 4.8% and Latin America's fell 2.2%.

chart wealth held by millionaires worldwide

Globally, the wealthy have seen their net worth explode in recent years, skyrocketing from $16.6 trillion in 1996 to $58.7 trillion in 2015. That surge has mainly been powered by the rise of manufacturing and economic activity in China.

Capgemini expects worldwide wealth will surpass $100 trillion by 2025.

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