Europe And America: Where The Number Of Billionaires Is Growing Fastest
1- 3.05.2026, 20:02
The number of rich people shows no signs of slowing down.
Europe's share of the global number of billionaires will rise slightly, while the Americas will account for slightly less, even as overall fortunes rise. Euronews analyzes the billionaire boom in 2026-2031.
The number of dollar billionaires is growing and shows no signs of slowing down. Globally, their number increased from 2,723 in 2021 to 3,110 in 2026, a 14% increase in just five years.
The pace is only projected to accelerate. According to the Knight Frank Wealth Report for 2026, the number of billionaires will grow by 26% over the next five years to reach 3,915 by 2031.
Europe is expected to be one of the main drivers of this growth. The number of European billionaires is projected to rise from 780 in 2026 to 994 by 2031, an increase of 27%.
"We are witnessing one of the most massive shifts in the distribution of global wealth in recent history," said Liam Bailey, global head of research at Knight Frank.
But in which countries will the number of billionaires grow the most? And how does the growth in the number of billionaires in Europe compare to countries in the Americas?
The report identifies the 20 countries with the fastest projected growth. Eight of them are European, and they are dominated by the Nordic states.
Of all 20 countries, Saudi Arabia tops the list: the figure there will grow by 183%, from 23 billion to 65 billion by 2031.
Northern European countries set the tone for growth in Europe
Poland leads the way in Europe. The number of billionaires there is set to more than double, from 13 to 29, a 123% increase.
Sweden is second in Europe and third in the world, with an expected 81% increase, from 32 to 58 billionaires. It is followed by Denmark, where their number will increase from 12 to 21, an increase of 75%.
Norway reinforces the dominance of Northern Europe: the number of billionaires there will increase from 17 to 26, an increase of 53%. Three of the four European countries with the fastest growth are in Northern Europe.
Austria is expected to grow by 50%, from 12 to 18 billionaires. In Spain, the figure will increase by 40%, to 53 by 2031. In Italy, another major European economy, the number of billionaires will rise from 61 to 82.
Turkey, a candidate country for EU membership, is forecast to grow by 31%, from 35 to 46 billionaires.
The ranking is based on growth rates over a five-year period. Therefore, it does not include the largest economies such as the UK, Germany and France. Germany, for example, led Europe in 2025 with 171 billionaires, according to Forbes.
If the same 20 countries are ordered by the total number of billionaires in 2031, the leader will be India with 313 billionaires, followed by Australia and Singapore with 85 each.
At the top of the list among European countries is Italy with 82 billionaires. Sweden is expected to come in at 58, ahead of Spain with 53 billionaires.
Bailey notes that despite severe geopolitical turmoil and inflationary pressures, private capital has shown remarkable resilience. He says the latest data reflects a profound structural acceleration in wealth accumulation around the world.
Number of Billionaires: Europe vs. the Americas
The Asia-Pacific region leads the way in the number of billionaires, with 1,116 in 2026, or 36% of the global total.
The Americas follow with a combined share of 34%, with North America accounting for 31% and Latin America for 3%. Europe accounts for a quarter of the world's billionaires.
By 2031, the number of billionaires in Europe will increase from 780 to 994, close to the one thousand mark. Its share of the global total will rise slightly to 25.4%.
In North America, the number of billionaires will also increase, from 995 to 1,089, but its share will fall from 31% to 27.8%, making it the only region in the world where the figure will fall.
"In practice, we see wealth accumulation accelerating against the backdrop of an increasingly challenging global economic environment," said Rory Penn, chairman of Knight Frank's Private Office division.
"The super-rich are becoming markedly more mobile, but the list of markets where they do feel comfortable investing or placing families has narrowed."
Security and Rule of Law
The report highlights that the wealthiest families are now spreading their assets across multiple offices - typically in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. This diversification is driven by a deep-seated need for security and respect for the rule of law.
"Despite high taxes and political inconsistency in the UK, some powerful families still flock to London because 'the law remains immutable,' while other global investors increasingly see Europe as 'a museum rather than a place to invest,' as one Australian billionaire mining business owner put it."
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