Global wealth reached a record 317 trillion dollars in 2018
Credit Suisse publishes an annual Global Wealth Report. Its 2018 edition shows global wealth reached a record 317 trillion dollars in 2018. In our view, it usefully shows where capital is moving and how unevenly people hold it.
How global wealth reached a record 317 trillion dollars in 2018
The report shows growth of 4.6% versus 2017. That works out to $63,100 per adult on average. However, distribution differs enormously between countries. Switzerland, for example, averages a net $530,000 per adult. In contrast, Brazil, Argentina, and other Latin American countries average $5,000 to $25,000.
Averages like this one need careful reading. In other words, a single per-adult figure blends very rich and very poor households into one number. As a result, the mean can sit far above what a typical adult actually owns. For this reason, we treat the global average as a starting point. It is not a portrait of ordinary savers.
Why country gaps matter
The spread between Switzerland and Latin America illustrates how much location shapes household balance sheets. First, higher-income economies tend to have deeper financial markets and more valuable property. Next, long periods of stable growth let savings compound over generations. In contrast, countries that face inflation or currency weakness often see local wealth shrink once converted into dollars. Therefore, the headline gap reflects both real differences in prosperity and the effect of exchange rates.
Concentration remains high
Inequality in capital ownership remains substantial. For instance, more than 84% of global wealth belongs to just 9.5% of the population. Meanwhile, 64% of the population holds only 2% of total capital.
These shares describe a world where a small group controls most assets. Of course, wealth here means net worth, so debts reduce the totals for many households. In practice, a large part of the population holds little or no net capital at all. Above all, the figures show that record totals and broad prosperity are not the same thing.
What a record total does and does not tell us
The fact that global wealth reached a record 317 trillion dollars in 2018 is notable. However, a record total says nothing on its own about who benefits from it. For example, a rise in asset prices can lift the aggregate while most gains go to those who already own shares or property. Meanwhile, households without assets may see little change. As a result, readers should look at distribution data alongside the headline.
Emerging economies keep gaining share
Emerging markets held 10% of global wealth in 2000 and 24% by 2018. In addition, Credit Suisse projects these regions could provide 32% of global growth over the next five years. Actual results may differ.
This shift matters for anyone studying long-term trends. In other words, a growing portion of new wealth now comes from outside the traditional centres of North America and Western Europe. Nevertheless, projections rest on assumptions about growth, markets and exchange rates. Fortunately, the word ‘could’ in the projection signals possibility rather than certainty. That helps readers keep the forecast in perspective.
In the United States, the report finds average wealth per adult doubled over the past 16 years. Of course, currency swings affect these dollar figures. Past trends also do not guarantee future growth.
How to use these figures
Reports like this one offer a useful map of where capital sits and how it moves. First, compare regions over several editions rather than relying on a single year. Next, check whether changes come from real growth or from currency movements. In addition, look at median figures where available, since they describe the typical adult better than averages. Finally, remember that past trends do not guarantee future results. No single dataset should drive financial decisions on its own.
Used this way, the report becomes a tool for understanding context. Instead of reading it as a forecast, treat it as a snapshot of a changing global picture.
