The BRICS Wealth Report: Challenging the Global Economic Order

LONDON, Jan. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The total investable wealth currently held in the BRICS bloc amounts to USD 45 trillion and its millionaire population is expected to rise by 85% over the next 10 years, according to the inaugural BRICS Wealth Report, published by international investment migration advisory firm Henley & Partners. There are currently 1.6 million individuals with investable assets of over USD 1 million in the grouping of the world's leading emerging economies, including 4,716 centi-millionaires or 'centis' and 549 billionaires.

The original BRICS cohort comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa added substantial new financial firepower and geopolitical clout with the inclusion this month of new MENA members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The BRICS bloc now represents more than 45% of the world's population and accounts for a larger share (nearly 36%) of global GDP than G7 countries (30%) when adjusting for purchasing power parity (PPP).

CEO of Henley & Partners, Dr. Juerg Steffen, says an expanded BRICS presents attractive new opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs worldwide. "The inclusion of MENA countries is not just a political realignment but a recognition of their growing economic stature, offering access to fast-growing consumer markets, strategic geographic positioning, and unique cultural and business environments."

Wealth growth trends

The new report reveals that in the last decade, private wealth grew by a remarkable 92% in China, which is now home to 862,400 millionaires, including 2,352 centis and 305 billionaires. India follows in 2^nd place in the BRICS HNWI ranking, with 326,400 millionaires, including over 1,000 centis and 120 billionaires, and wealth growth soaring by 85% over the past 10 years. The UAE's millionaire population has also shot up since 2013, by 77%, and is now home to 116,500 millionaires, including over 300 centis. The past decade has also seen robust private wealth growth in Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia, with their millionaire populations rising by 35% and 30%, respectively.

Leading personal finance and investment expert Jeff D. Opdyke says "economically, non-Western nations — with BRICS at the vanguard — are pushing the globe into a new reality: An emerging economic, social, and monetary status quo that is upending what the world has accepted as normal for nearly eight decades."

Looking to the decade ahead, India leads the BRICS pack with a forecast 110% increase in wealth per capita by 2033. Saudi Arabia is runner up with its wealth per capita expected to expand by over 105% in the next 10 years, followed closely by the UAE on 95%, China (85%), Ethiopia (75%), South Africa (60%), and Egypt (55%).  

Wealthiest cities

China lays claim to five of the Top 10 wealthiest cities in BRICS, with capital Beijing securing top honors with 125,600 millionaires, including 347 centis and 42 billionaires. Hot on its heels in 2^nd place is Shanghai (123,400 millionaires), with Shenzhen (5^th with 50,300), Hangzhou (6^th with 31,600), and Guangzhou (9^th with 24,500) also making the Top 10.

The UAE and India each have two cities in the Top 10. Dubai is in 3^rd place with 72,500 resident millionaires (including 212 centis and 15 billionaires), and Abu Dhabi sits in 10^th place with 22,700 HNWIs (68 centis and 5 billionaires). Mumbai, India's de-facto financial center, is 4^th with 58,800 millionaires (236 centis and 29 billionaires) and national capital Delhi ranks 7^th (home to 31,000 millionaires, including 123 centis and 16 billionaires) ahead of Moscow in 8^th place (30,300 millionaires, with 207 centis and 23 billionaires).

The Russian Federation's capital is the only Top 10 city with a declining millionaire population over the past decade. Moscow saw a 24% drop in HNWIs while the rest of the wealthiest cities in BRICS have all enjoyed significant private wealth growth of between 75% (Abu Dhabi) and — in the case of Shenzhen — an astonishing 140% more millionaires than in 2013.

Head of Research at New World Wealth, Andrew Amoils, says five BRICS cities to watch are Bengaluru, Cape Town, Jeddah, Riyadh and Sharjah, ­as all are expected to experience particularly strong (80%+) wealth growth over the coming decade.

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