Australia in Global Top 10 for Ultra-Wealthy as Property Investment Grows
3 min
Australia has cemented its place among the world’s wealthiest nations, ranking ninth globally for individuals with more than US$10 million in assets, according to Knight Frank’s newly released The Wealth Report 2025.
The report found that 1.8% of the global US$10m+ population resides in Australia, with 42,789 high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). This places Australia ahead of Hong Kong SAR (42,715 HNWIs), Italy (41,080), South Korea (39,210), and Taiwan (28,391). The United States leads the rankings, accounting for nearly 39% of the world’s ultra-wealthy.
Knight Frank Chief Economist Ben Burston noted that while Australia faced economic headwinds in 2024 due to higher interest rates, global wealth creation remained strong.
“While several major economies, including Australia, saw sluggish growth in 2024 as higher interest rates took a toll on household incomes, robust growth in the United States supported the global economy and underpinned ongoing wealth creation,” Burston said.
Future Growth: Australia’s Wealthy Set to Expand Further
The report predicts continued growth in Australia’s ultra-wealthy population, with Australasia’s US$10m+ segment expected to rise by 5.3% by 2028. The number of individuals worth US$100 million or more in the region is also projected to grow by 4.8%, from 1,918 in 2024 to 2,010 by 2028.
Globally, the number of HNWIs increased by 4.4% in 2024, reaching 2.34 million. The trend is expected to continue, with a projected rise of 6.9% by 2028.
Real Estate Investment a Key Priority for the Wealthy
Property remains a crucial asset class for the world’s wealthiest, with a survey of 150 family offices revealing a strong appetite for real estate investment.
In Australia, 31% of family offices surveyed plan to increase their real estate holdings over the next 18 months, compared to 44% globally. The top three real estate sectors of interest for Australian investors are:
- Industrial properties (42%)
- Data centres (21%)
- Infrastructure (18%)
This contrasts with global preferences, where the leading investment sectors are living spaces (14%), industrial/logistics (13%), and luxury residential (12%).
Knight Frank CEO James Patterson highlighted the ongoing demand for real estate among ultra-wealthy investors, despite recent downturns in commercial property markets.
“More than 30 per cent of respondents expect to increase their exposure to real estate over the next 18 months,” Patterson said. “It’s evident investors are increasingly conscious that they can now acquire assets at an attractive entry point off the back of the downturn and with strong prospects of cyclical recovery in the medium term.”
Luxury Real Estate: A Top Choice for the Next Generation
The report also explored investment trends among younger high-net-worth individuals. Knight Frank’s Next Generation Survey, a global study of 1,788 wealthy individuals aged 18 to 35, found that real estate topped the list of luxury assets they aspire to own.
John McGrath, CEO of McGrath Estate Agents, Knight Frank’s Australian partner, noted that younger generations are drawn to real estate for both lifestyle and investment reasons.
“The next generation desires luxury real estate from a lifestyle point of view, but they can also see the strength of this asset class as an investment with continuing price growth around the world delivering ongoing capital gains,” McGrath said.
He added that Australia’s undersupply of luxury properties, combined with high demand, will continue to drive price appreciation in the sector.
“Australia is a particularly desirable market for luxury real estate due to its plentiful lifestyle locations, as well as being on the doorstep of all the global powerhouse nations within the Asian region.”
Wealth and Real Estate: A Lasting Connection
The findings reinforce the long-standing link between wealth accumulation and real estate investment. Family offices globally continue to allocate significant portions of their portfolios to property, seeing it as a hedge against inflation and a means of long-term wealth preservation.
As Australia’s ultra-wealthy population grows, so too does the demand for strategic real estate investment, with industrial, data centres, and infrastructure emerging as the preferred sectors.
With global wealth set to rise further, the Australian property market remains a key destination for high-net-worth individuals looking to expand their portfolios and secure long-term returns.
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International AI strategist Justin Kabbani will headline the Kanebridge Property Summit in Sydney on June 18, with tickets selling fast.
2 minArtificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping business, investment and competitive advantage, and now Australia’s property industry is being told it cannot afford to sit on the sidelines.
International keynote speaker and AI strategist Justin Kabbani will headline the Kanebridge Property Summit at RACA Sydney on June 18, bringing rare insight into how forward-thinking property professionals can use AI to move faster, make smarter decisions and gain a serious edge in an increasingly competitive market.
Tickets to the exclusive summit are already selling fast.
Having worked with global brands including Uber, PepsiCo, Mattel and Destination NSW, Kabbani has become one of the leading voices on how businesses can turn AI from a buzzword into a genuine commercial advantage.
Known for his high-energy and highly practical presentations, Kabbani cuts through the hype surrounding AI and focuses on what actually matters: productivity, growth, leadership and real-world business results.
His keynote will explore how AI is already transforming industries globally, and what property developers, investors, agents and business leaders need to understand now to avoid being left behind.
Importantly, the session is designed to be practical, not theoretical.
Attendees will hear how AI can be applied across marketing, sales, operations and decision-making to improve efficiency, sharpen strategy and create new competitive advantages in a rapidly changing business environment.
The summit will also feature an exclusive roundtable bringing together leading property and finance experts for a candid, off-the-record Q&A exploring the forces shaping investment, development and wealth creation across Australia’s prestige property market.
The event follows the success of last year’s sold-out summit and will once again be hosted by respected MC John Alten.
With AI becoming one of the biggest disruptors facing business, the June 18 summit is expected to attract strong interest from property professionals, investors and business leaders looking to stay ahead of the curve.
The followings are included in every ticket:
- Full access to keynote sessions and the interactive roundtable.
- Premium selection of canapés and beverages throughout the evening.
- Complimentary annual digital subscription to two leading publications (Wall Street Journal and Kanebridge Quarterly), providing essential coverage of local and global markets, property trends and investment strategy.
Tickets are limited and selling quickly and you can buy here.
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