While global wealth increased by 11% last year, the gap between classes widened, according to a new report from UBS.

In the United States, average wealth per adult reached about $700,000, compared to a median wealth of only about $70,000, confirming the economy continues on a 'K-shaped' path, where the wealthy grow while others decline.

The good news is that the world became much wealthier last year. The bad news is that you probably didn't get a share.

Personal wealth denominated in US dollars grew by 11% last year, far exceeding growth rates of the previous two years, according to the report.

However, this growth was highly concentrated, with the top 1.5% of the population controlling nearly 50% of the world's wealth.

Supported by strong financial markets, these gains went particularly to those with assets over $5 million, widening the gap between the wealthy and the rest of society.

This disparity is clear when comparing average wealth to median wealth in most regions.

For example, the United States ranks second globally in average wealth per adult, but falls to 28th in median wealth.

From 2020 to 2025, average wealth per adult in America rose 10% to $696,277.

In contrast, median wealth fell 20% to $68,998, placing it sixth globally in an inequality index.

Alwaleed bin Talal's wealth saw the highest growth among Arab billionaires this year.

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The report explains that "the presence of a small group of extremely wealthy individuals can easily raise the average wealth of an entire nation, making its population appear financially better off than they are."

Read also: Elon Musk's wealth increases by $5 million per second from SpaceX.

The situation continues into 2026.

Although the bank's report covers data through the end of 2025, these trends are continuing in 2026, and the situation does not appear to improve soon, according to Business Insider.

The US economy maintained its unequal pattern this year as the wealthy continued to benefit from the stock market rally, while low-income families suffered from inflation and rising fuel prices.

Furthermore, artificial intelligence technology is exacerbating concerns about wealth distribution fairness.

Other innovations, such as nuclear fusion, mRNA technology, and longevity science, may reshape the financial landscape in the future.

Elon Musk's wealth increased by $318 billion within 20 hours after SpaceX's listing.

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Read also: AI reduces wealth managers' interest in middle-wealth clients.

In this context, Joel Mokyr, professor of economics and history at Northwestern University, says: "This technology is not yet complete, but it is coming and no one can stop it, and once completed, its impact on society and the economy may be equal to or even surpass that of artificial intelligence."

Nevertheless, the picture is not entirely bleak. Globally, the share of people in the lowest bracket, those with assets under $10,000, continues to shrink.

In 2000, about 75% of the world's population fell into this bracket; today that share has dropped to 41%.