Greece’s Ultra-Wealthy Population Surges While One in Four Face Poverty

The fig of ultra-rich successful Greece roseate by 74% successful 5 years. Credit: Christina Tsamousopoulou/Greek Reporter

The fig of “Ultra-High Net Worth Individuals” (UHNWIs) —defined arsenic those with a nett worthy of astatine slightest $30 million—in Greece has climbed to 910, according to caller data. This marks a important summation from the 523 individuals recorded successful 2021, representing a 74% maturation complaint implicit conscionable 5 years.

The caller information from the 2026 Knight Frank Wealth Report comes arsenic Eurostat precocious reported that much than one successful 4 radical successful Greece faced poverty oregon societal exclusion risks, placing the state among the worst performers successful the European Union.

Credit: 2026 Knight Frank Wealth Report

This surge reflects a broader inclination crossed the continent. Globally, much than 710,000 radical present clasp astatine slightest $30 cardinal successful nett wealth, with astir a quarter—approximately 25.8%—residing successful Europe. The full colonisation of the ultra-wealthy connected the “Old Continent” roseate from 146,525 successful 2021 to 183,953 successful 2026.

Ultra-rich successful Europe

In implicit numbers, Germany remains the undisputed heavyweight of European wealth, starring the battalion with 38,215 ultra-wealthy residents. The United Kingdom follows successful 2nd spot with 27,876, portion France rounds retired the apical 3 with 21,528. Switzerland and Italy are the lone different nations to support precocious five-figure populations, with 17,692 and 15,433 individuals, respectively.

Beyond this apical tier, the numbers driblet significantly. Spain is location to 9,186 UHNWIs, Sweden hosts 6,845, and the Netherlands has 5,077. Further down the list, countries similar Denmark (4,657), Turkey (4,208), Austria (4,188), and Poland (3,017) amusement a concentrated but increasing precocious class. Meanwhile, Norway, Czechia, Ireland, and Portugal each autumn wrong the 2,000 to 2,500 range.

While the largest economies clasp the astir wealth, the fastest maturation is occurring successful smaller oregon emerging markets. Poland saw its ultra-wealthy colonisation much than treble with a 109% increase, portion Turkey and Romania followed intimately with maturation rates of 94% and 93%. Greece’s 74% summation places it firmly among these high-growth nations.

In contrast, the much established economies showed much humble percent gains. Wealth successful the UK grew by lone 12%, portion Sweden recorded the lowest maturation successful the radical astatine 8%.

A shifting economical landscape

Liam Bailey, Head of Research astatine Knight Frank, noted that we are presently witnessing 1 of the astir important shifts successful the planetary organisation of wealthiness successful modern history. Although the United States continues to pb the satellite with 387,422 ultra-wealthy individuals, countries similar India and a clump of rapidly processing nations are progressively shaping the planetary economical landscape.

The study suggests that this inclination is being accelerated by planetary wealthiness mobility, arsenic individuals navigate rising taxation burdens and expanding regulatory pressures successful their hunt for much favorable fiscal environments.

Related: Rich and Ultra-Rich People Reach Historic High, Study Finds