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How much cash to be in the world’s wealthiest 1 per cent? US$4.4 million in the US – which boasts the most ‘ultra-high net worth individuals’ like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in May 2020 on Wall Street in New York City. Photo: AFP
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in May 2020 on Wall Street in New York City. Photo: AFP

  • Real estate consultancy Knight Frank has released its annual wealth report, which breaks down the numbers of the world’s richest 1 per cent
  • Singapore is Asia’s highest entry at No 4 followed by Hong Kong, while China’s threshold is predicted to increase by 70 per cent compared to 2020

Curious to know what the cut-off is to be in the fabled world’s wealthiest 1 per cent? The new annual wealth report from Knight Frank breaks the numbers down for the US and other countries across the globe.

An individual in the US needs a net worth of US$4.4 million to be among the richest 1 per cent in the world, according to the report. That’s the third-highest wealth threshold compared to the rest of the world.

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Monaco – where the densest population of the super-rich live according to Knight Frank – has the highest mark to hit for the 1 per cent: US$7.9 million. Switzerland has the second-highest wealth threshold, with a person needing US$5.1 million to join the richest 1 per cent.

DC Square 37 in the West End of Washington in the US. Photo: Commercial Photographics, Architectural Photo and Video Artistry for Westlight Building
DC Square 37 in the West End of Washington in the US. Photo: Commercial Photographics, Architectural Photo and Video Artistry for Westlight Building
However, the US also has the highest number of what Knight Frank calls UHNWI residents – ultra-high net worth individuals. The real estate consultancy firm defines a UHNWI resident as someone whose net wealth exceeds US$30 million.

Others listed in the report include Singapore at No4 with US$2.9 million, positioning it as Asia’s highest entry ahead of Hong Kong, which requires a net wealth of US$2.8 million. The highest entry to the richest 1 per cent for Latin America is Argentina at US$360,000. Meanwhile, South Africa has the highest wealth threshold out of any other country in Africa at US$180,000.

The level of net wealth needed to join the top 1 per cent in selected countries and territories in US dollars. Photo: Knight Frank
The level of net wealth needed to join the top 1 per cent in selected countries and territories in US dollars. Photo: Knight Frank

Countries with the lowest wealth thresholds to crack into the 1 per cent include Indonesia, where a person needs US$60,000, and Kenya, where a net wealth of US$20,000 is needed for that status.