Analysis of Global Wealth Distribution and the Rise of Millionaires in 2025

2025年全球財富分佈分析與百萬富翁崛起

Jul 2, 2026, 15:00
AustraliaFinance

Introduction

A recent report by UBS shows a significant increase in the number of millionaires worldwide during 2025. This growth was mainly caused by rising stock market values, even though the typical person's wealth decreased in many countries.

UBS 最近的一份報告顯示，2025 年全球百萬富翁的人數顯著增加。這種增長主因於股市價值上升，儘管許多國家的普通人財富有所下降。

Main Body

Global personal wealth grew by 10.8% in 2025, which is the largest increase since 2017. However, this growth was not equal. The wealthiest people saw the biggest gains; for example, billionaires' total wealth rose by nearly 25%. The United States was a major driver of this trend, accounting for about 441,000 of the one million new millionaires globally. UBS economist James Mazeau emphasized that rich people benefit more from financial markets, noting that the U.S. stock market rose by 18%.

全球個人財富在 2025 年增長了 10.8%，是 2017 年以來最大規模的增長。然而，這種增長並不平均。最富有的人獲益最大；例如，億萬富翁的總財富上升了近 25%。美國是這一趨勢的主要推動力，在全球新增的一百萬名百萬富翁中，約有 44.1 萬名來自美國。UBS 經濟學家 James Mazeau 強調，富人從金融市場中獲益更多，並指出美國股市上漲了 18%。

On the other hand, the data shows that median wealth—the amount held by the middle person—has dropped. In the U.S., the UK, and Germany, median wealth per adult fell by about 20% between 2020 and 2025. A similar pattern appeared in Australia, where average wealth rose by 19% but median wealth fell by nearly 7%. This is largely due to the property market, where Australian homes are worth trillions of dollars. Despite this gap, Australia's wealth distribution is still more equal than in countries like the UAE or Russia.

另一方面，數據顯示中位數財富——即處於中間位置的人所持有的金額——有所下降。在美國、英國和德國，成年人每人的中位數財富在 2020 年至 2025 年間下降了約 20%。澳洲也出現類似模式，平均財富上升了 19%，但中位數財富下降了近 7%。這很大程度上歸因於房地產市場，澳洲房屋價值高達數兆美元。儘管存在此差距，澳洲的財富分佈仍比阿拉伯聯合大公國或俄羅斯等國家更為平等。

Finally, global politics and economics are affecting these trends. A weaker U.S. dollar helped increase the number of millionaires in Europe and the Middle East. Regarding the conflict in Iran, Mazeau asserted that the impact on wealthy individuals depends on how they invest their money. Furthermore, economist Saul Eslake suggested that current tax laws do not stop wealth inequality. He proposed using inheritance taxes to manage the $5.5 trillion expected to be passed down to the next generation.

最後，全球政治與經濟正影響著這些趨勢。美元走弱有助於增加歐洲和中東的百萬富翁人數。關於伊朗的衝突，Mazeau 主張，對富裕人士的影響取決於他們的投資方式。此外，經濟學家 Saul Eslake 建議，目前的稅法無法阻止財富不平等。他提議利用遺產稅來管理預計將傳給下一代的 5.5 兆美元。

Conclusion

Global wealth continues to concentrate among the richest people. While stock and property markets create record numbers of millionaires, the average citizen is seeing their net assets decline.

全球財富持續集中在最富有的人手中。雖然股市和房地產市場創造了紀錄數的百萬富翁，但一般公民的淨資產卻在下降。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡️ The 'B2 Leap': Moving from Simple to Complex Contrast

At an A2 level, you likely use 'but' or 'and' to connect ideas. To reach B2, you must master Contrast Markers. These words allow you to show a sophisticated relationship between two opposite facts without sounding like a child.

🔍 The Pattern in the Text

Look at how the article manages the gap between the rich and the poor. It doesn't just say "Rich people got money but poor people didn't." Instead, it uses these high-level tools:

  1. "Even though..." →\rightarrow Used to introduce a surprising fact.

    • Text: "...even though the typical person's wealth decreased..."
    • B2 Logic: Put the 'surprising' part of the sentence after this phrase.

  2. "On the other hand..." →\rightarrow Used to switch the entire focus to a different perspective.

    • Text: "On the other hand, the data shows that median wealth... has dropped."
    • B2 Logic: Use this at the start of a new paragraph or sentence to signal a total change in direction.

  3. "Despite..." →\rightarrow Used to show that something happened regardless of a problem.

    • Text: "Despite this gap, Australia's wealth distribution is still more equal..."
    • B2 Logic: After "Despite," you cannot use a full sentence (Subject + Verb). You must use a noun or a noun phrase (e.g., Despite the rain, Despite the gap).

🛠️ From A2 →\rightarrow B2 Transformation

A2 Style (Basic)B2 Style (Professional)
The stock market rose, but the middle class is poorer.Even though the stock market rose, the middle class is poorer.
There is a big wealth gap. Australia is still more equal.Despite the big wealth gap, Australia is still more equal.
Billionaires are richer. Poor people have less money.Billionaires saw huge gains. On the other hand, median wealth fell.

💡 Pro Tip: The 'Despite' Trap

Avoid saying: Despite it was raining. Instead, say: Despite the rain (Noun) or Despite the fact that it was raining (Phrase).

Vocabulary Learning

significant (adj.)
Large or important enough to be noticed or have an effect.
Example:There has been a significant increase in the number of people working from home.
emphasized (v.)
To give special importance or prominence to something in speaking or writing.
Example:The teacher emphasized the importance of arriving on time for the exam.
median (adj.)
The middle value in a series of numbers, separating the higher half from the lower half.
Example:The median household income provides a more accurate picture of the average citizen's wealth than the mean.
distribution (n.)
The way in which something is shared out or spread over an area.
Example:The government is trying to improve the distribution of resources across the rural provinces.
asserted (v.)
To state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.
Example:The lawyer asserted that his client was innocent of all charges.
inheritance (n.)
Money, property, or titles received from someone who has died.
Example:She used her inheritance to start a small business in the city.
concentrate (v.)
To gather or cluster together in one particular place or group.
Example:Wealth tends to concentrate in the hands of a few powerful individuals.
assets (n.)
Useful or valuable things, people, or qualities; typically property or money.
Example:The company's total assets include its office buildings and intellectual property.
Practice B2 words in a crossword→