Global Wealth Detaches from Borders
A groundbreaking report from Altrata, sponsored by Arton Capital, reveals that one in five of the world's ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI) is foreign-born, highlighting the increasingly international nature of global wealth. The report, titled Global Citizens: Entrepreneurship, Mobility and the Ultra Wealthy, forecasts that the UHNW population will surge by 33% to reach 734,100 by 2030.
Rapid Expansion of Ultra-Wealthy Population
The combined net worth of the world's richest individuals is projected to climb from $63 trillion in 2025 to $84 trillion by the end of the decade. By 2030, an estimated 7.7 million people will hold assets exceeding $5 million. This growth underscores a structural shift in wealth creation and management, with personal fortunes becoming less tied to any single nation-state.
Wealth Creators Dominate
Foreign-born ultra-wealthy individuals are overwhelmingly self-made, with 79% building their fortunes through entrepreneurship rather than inheritance. Only 5% rely solely on inherited wealth, while 16% combine entrepreneurship with inheritance. This trend points to a clear link between cross-border mobility and wealth creation.
- 17% of UHNW individuals own or partially own businesses headquartered outside their country of residence.
- 34% have pursued higher education outside their birth country.
- Mobility is embedded in modern wealth-building, enabling access to global markets and opportunities.
Cross-Border Lives Become the Norm
Key global cities remain primary hubs for the ultra-wealthy. London continues to attract those in banking and finance despite tighter tax regimes and trade constraints. The United States dominates as the world's leading wealth center, hosting about 40% of the global UHNW population (205,000 individuals). However, evolving policy conditions may influence future flows; previous Arton Capital research indicates that a third of American millionaires have considered leaving the U.S. due to the impact of recent political shifts.
The report concludes that internationally mobile individuals are more likely to build businesses, pursue cross-border opportunities, and generate their own wealth, reflecting a cohort defined by ambition, risk appetite, and access to global markets.
