Altrata Says 40% of 557,000 UHNW Individuals Are 70+, Driving Historic Wealth Transfer
Updated
Updated · InvestmentNews · Jul 10
Altrata Says 40% of 557,000 UHNW Individuals Are 70+, Driving Historic Wealth Transfer
1 articles · Updated · InvestmentNews · Jul 10
Summary
Nearly 220,000 of the world’s roughly 557,000 ultra-high-net-worth individuals are 70 or older, Altrata said, putting a large share of fortunes above $30 million on the verge of intergenerational transfer.
The report said the average UHNW age is 67, with North America older at 68 than Asia by four years, a gap tied to older self-made wealth in the US and younger first-generation fortunes across much of Asia.
Women still account for just 12% of the global ultra-wealthy, but Altrata expects that share to rise to 19% by 2040 as inheritance, entrepreneurship and executive pay shift control of assets.
More than 117,000 centi-millionaires now hold over $100 million—up from 60,000 in 2015—adding a younger tech-driven layer of wealth even as the broader UHNW population continues to age.
Typical UHNW portfolios remain concentrated in business ownership at 63%, with about 29% in liquid assets, suggesting succession planning will be shaped by operating companies, tax rules and residency shifts as transfers accelerate.
With women's share of extreme wealth set to double, how will their priorities reshape global investment?
As $84 trillion changes hands, can heirs escape the historical curse of generational wealth loss?
Why are the super-rich collecting multiple passports, creating a new borderless class beyond national control?
The $31 Trillion Global Wealth Transfer by 2033: Impacts, Opportunities, and Strategies for the Next Generation
Overview
A historic intergenerational wealth transfer, estimated at $31 trillion by 2033, is underway as the aging ultra-high-net-worth population—where the average billionaire is 68—drives a massive shift of capital from older to younger generations. This unprecedented movement of wealth will impact a wide range of industries, including financial services, luxury goods, and non-profits. Although the ultra-wealthy make up just 1% of global millionaires, they hold a significant share of total wealth, highlighting the scale and urgency of this transition. Organizations must adapt quickly to the changing landscape as new generations inherit and reshape global wealth.