Seoul's Ultra-Rich Grow Fastest Globally

The number of ultra-rich individuals living in Seoul, defined as those with a net worth of over $30 million, surged by 36.3% in one year, recording the highest growth rate among 12 major cities worldwide.

This finding comes from the '2026 World Ultra-Wealth Report' by Altrata of the United States. Seoul, with 6,220 ultra-rich residents, was included in the top 12 wealthiest cities globally. Among these cities, the growth rate of ultra-high-net-worth individuals increased by 36.3% compared to the previous year, marking the highest rate.

According to the report, the wealth of the top billionaires worldwide grew by an average of about 8.5% annually from 1995 to 2025, while the wealth growth rate for the bottom 50% of the population over the same period was only 3.4% per year. The average wealth of approximately 60,000 individuals, representing the top 0.001% globally, is estimated at $254 million. Of these, 37% reside in the United States, followed by China (10%) and Germany (5%).

The increase in the number of these wealthy individuals suggests a potential impact on overall economic trends and consumption patterns across society.