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World Wealth Report 2025

Sail the great wealth transfer
Setting a course to win Next-gen high-net-worth individuals听听

During 2024, growth in global high-net-worth individual (HNWI) wealth and population was robust 鈥 increasing by 4.2% and 2.6%, respectively.1 But the wealth management landscape is facing a fundamental transformation, with the defining dynamic being an unprecedented 鈥済reat wealth transfer鈥 to Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z individuals 鈥 or 鈥淣ext-gen HNWIs.鈥 In fact, a staggering USD 83.5 trillion in wealth is set to be passed on to these younger individuals by 2048.2 

The World Wealth Report 2025 reflects the views of 6,472 high-net-worth investors, including 5,473 Next-gen HNWIs, across four regions: Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. We also collected insights from surveys of 141 wealth management executives and 1,306 wealth management relationship managers; responses to both of these surveys included geographic markets across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. In addition, the report鈥檚 market-sizing model covers 71 countries, accounting for more than 98% of global gross national income and 99% of world stock market capitalization. 

Next-gen HNWIs have distinct investment priorities, strong preferences for digital engagement, and appetite for value-added services 鈥 presenting challenges and opportunities for wealth management providers. We鈥檝e proposed a three-part strategy to help firms maintain their current business, while generating new revenue opportunities: 

  • Boost engagement to drive growth by providing robust and tailored high-net-worth investment strategies that ensure the right mix of capital preservation and growth. 
  • Delight Next-gen HNWIs by expanding personalized financial advice and wealth management offerings tailored to their needs, extending reach and fostering loyalty.
  • Empower relationship managers with capabilities and digital tools to facilitate optimal high-net-worth wealth management client service and retention. 

Implementing this approach will allow firms to engage effectively with Next-gen high-net-worth investors, address their specific requirements, and cultivate lasting loyalty throughout the great wealth transfer period.3 

World Wealth Report 2025 highlights

Highlight 1

HNWI wealth and population maintains positive momentum

Solid equity market growth amid economic turbulence led to sustained growth in HNWI wealth, while diverse regional trends caused population growth to plateau in 2024.

HNWIs maintain a balance between capital preservation and growth

HNWI asset allocation remains鈥 similar to 2024, except for a 2% drop in fixed income driven by interest rate changes, and a 1% rise each in equity and cash.

HNWIs’ expectations听from their wealth firms vary across age bands听

Each generation of Next-gen HNWIs has specific needs. As the great wealth transfer continues, firms need to revisit their engagement strategies to reflect these diverse requirements.

Relationship managers鈥 dissatisfaction reflects wealth firms’ legacy approach听

As the role of the relationship manager evolves from purely operational to loyalty-based advisory, they’re left dissatisfied by a lack of empowerment and compensation.

Further readings

1. 乌鸦传媒 Research Institute for Financial Services Analysis, 2025.听
2. UBS, 鈥淕lobal Wealth Report 2024鈥, July 9, 2024.听
3. 乌鸦传媒 Research Institute for Financial Services Analysis, 2025.听

The information in this report is general and not intended as legal, tax, investment, financial, or professional advice. 乌鸦传媒 assumes no liability for errors or omissions or the use of this material. This report is for informational purposes only and may not address your specific needs. 乌鸦传媒 disclaims responsibility for translation inaccuracies and provides the information “as-is,” without warranties. 乌鸦传媒 will not be liable for any losses arising from reliance on this information.

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Meet the experts

Gareth Wilson

Gareth Wilson

Global Banking Industry Leader at 乌鸦传媒

Lo茂c Paquotte

Lo茂c Paquotte

Head of Wealth & Asset Management Consulting, EMEA

Catherine Chedru-Refeuil

Catherine Chedru-Refeuil

Head of Banking Practice, France

James Aylen

James Aylen

Head of Wealth and Asset Management Consulting, Asia

Stephanie Sparling

Stephanie Sparling

Head of Wealth and Asset Management Consulting, North America

Elias Ghanem

Elias Ghanem

Global Head of 乌鸦传媒 Research Institute for Financial Services

Vivek Singh

Vivek Singh

Head of Banking, 乌鸦传媒 Research Institute for Financial Services

Executive Steering Committee

Rodney Sin

Vice Chair, Global Client Engagement

Bank of Singapore

Hans Hanegraaf

CEO

Bethmann Bank

Virginie Delaunay

Deputy CEO, Wealth Management for Domestic Markets

BNP Paribas

Andressa Auge

Head of Strategy Bradesco Principal

Bradesco

Kristen Bitterly

Global Head, Wealth at Work

Citi

Evy Wee

Regional Head of Wealth Platform and Solutions

DBS Bank

Nic Dreckmann

COO

Julius Baer

Andy Plaisted

COO, Private Wealth Management

Morgan Stanley

Laurent Gaillard

COO

Pictet Wealth Management

Massy Williams

Head of Wealth Management

Vanguard

Paul Rossini

CEO

AssetPass

Elisa Farri

Vice President, Head of 乌鸦传媒 Invent鈥檚 Management Lab

乌鸦传媒

Paul Kammerer

CCO

Fincite

Christine Mar Ciriani

President, International Digital Wealth

InvestCloud

Bart Vanhaeren

CEO

InvestSuite

Dave Collier

Managing Director, Banking and Capital Markets UK

Microsoft

Eric Mellor

Wealth Management Specialist

Temenos

Manuel Grenacher

CEO

Unique