Knight Frank 2026 Wealth Report Launch

Knight Frank's 2026 Wealth Report Chinese Edition launch event was successfully held in Beijing and Shanghai. Co-presented with renowned UK developer Native Land, the Shanghai session received support from the British Consulate-General in Shanghai. Knight Frank executives, partners, and industry leaders from diverse sectors gathered to discuss global wealth dynamics, real estate market trends, and asset allocation strategies.

At the outset of the event, Paul Fisher, Chief Executive Officer of Knight Frank Greater China, delivered welcome remarks at both Shanghai and Beijing venues. He extended sincere greetings to all attendees and noted that this marks the 20th edition of the Wealth Report, which has not only witnessed profound shifts in the global wealth landscape but also continued to provide investors with forward-looking insights and strategic decision-making support.

Guest representatives delivered speeches at both events. Sohail Shaikh, UK Trade Commissioner to China and representative of the British Consulate-General in Shanghai, stated at the Shanghai event that despite global economic uncertainty, investment and commercial ties between the UK and China remain strong, with core markets like London continuing to attract international capital.

At the Beijing station, Tiny Tian, General Manager of the Chang'an Club, emphasized in her opening remarks that high-end exchange platforms play a vital role in fostering cross-sector resource collaboration and high-quality dialogue, creating an excellent atmosphere for interaction.

Key insights from the 2026 Fortune Report

Knight Frank Partner, Head of Global Research, and Editor-in-Chief of the Wealth Report, Liam Bailey, provides an in-depth analysis of the 2026 Wealth Report, highlighting global wealth trends and key research insights:

Entering its second decade, global wealth creation continues to accelerate despite multiple headwinds, including geopolitical uncertainty, interest rate volatility, and divergent global economic performance. Between 2021 and 2026, the number of global ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) with net assets of $2 million or more grew by 162,191, averaging 89 new UHNWIs per day, bringing the global total to 713,626.

Global Wealth Distribution

According to Knight Frank's latest Wealth Report, the global number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals is projected to rise from 551,435 in 2021 to 713,626 in 2026. Among these new entrants, 41% will be from the U.S., with their share of the global total expected to increase from 33% in 2021 to 35% in 2026.

The Asia-Pacific region currently hosts nearly 31% of the world's ultra-high-net-worth individuals, with Mainland China firmly established as the second-largest global wealth hub. Looking ahead, Indonesia (+82%), Saudi Arabia (+63%), Poland (+63%), and Vietnam (+59%) are projected to lead global UHNW growth over the next five years.

Knight Frank International Prime Residential Index (PIRI 100)

The Knight Frank Prime International Residential Index (PIRI 100) tracks 100 markets, where global luxury home prices rose an average of 3.2% in 2025, outperforming general residential markets worldwide for the second consecutive year. Overall, 73 markets recorded price growth, with market divergence widening significantly as strong gains became increasingly concentrated in select global cities.

Asia-Pacific saw an average property price increase of 3.6% in 2025, with significant variation across markets. In Tokyo, driven by strong demand for premium new apartments, prices surged 58.5% year-over-year, marking the highest global growth rate. Meanwhile, property prices in certain cities on the Chinese mainland remain in a correction phase.

Twin-City Roundtable: In-Depth Discussion on Wealth Trends

The Shanghai roundtable, themed "The Evolution of Diversified Investing: From Asset Allocation to Lifestyle Decisions," was moderated by Samantha Yu, Senior Director and Head of International Investment for Greater China at Knight Frank. Panelists included representatives from UK developer NativeLand, Zeekr, The Bund Media, and CCD.

The Beijing Roundtable, titled "The Next Step in Wealth: From Asset Ownership to Option Allocation," was also moderated by Yu Meixuan. Panelists included representatives from Native Land (UK developer), Zhigu Trends, the British Chamber of Commerce in China, and the Chang'an Club.

Knight Frank extends its sincere gratitude to all partners and supporters of the 20 edition Wealth Report launch. Special thanks to Native Land, a leading London developer, for Bankside Yards on the South Bank of the Thames—the UK's first operational zero-fossil-fuel large-scale mixed-use development.