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Asian countries with the richest people: India at No 3!

September 13, 2013 09:52 IST

The world’s richest are getting richer despite the economic crisis.

The ultra wealthy population has hit an all-time high of 199,235 individuals with a combined fortune of nearly $28 trillion in 2013, growing by more than 6 per cent in population size from the previous year and adding $2 trillion to their combined wealth, greater than the GDP of India.

The Wealth-X and UBS World Ultra Wealth Report 2013 has identified more than 2,000 billionaires globally with a total net worth of US$6.5 trillion, equal to 23 per cent of the world's ultra high net worth (UHNW) total wealth.

In the next five years, Wealth-X forecasts that the world's UHNW population will grow by an annual average of 3.9 per cent and the wealth attributable to the UHNW population is expected to grow by 5.5 per cent.

While the US leads in terms of real growth in UHNW population numbers, with 2,250 UHNWIs, Asia is home to 42,895 UHNW individuals with a combined net worth close to $6.3  trillion. 

(The report defines UHNW individuals as those with total net assets of US$30 million)

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Asian countries with the richest people: India at No 3!

September 13, 2013 09:52 IST
An employee of Swatch Group stands next to an image of the company's Swatch Vandome at the group's newly built skyscraper in Tokyo's Ginza shopping district.

Japan

UNHW Population: 12,830

Total Wealth: $2,075 billion

The report states that Japan’s GDP saw modest growth and its equity market declined by 16 per cent during 2012-13.

While Japan’s property market also saw a slight decline, the Yen appreciated by 3.3 per cent.

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Asian countries with the richest people: India at No 3!

September 13, 2013 09:52 IST
A woman shops in a Louis Vuitton store in Shanghai.

China

UNHW Population: 11,245

Total Wealth: $1,580 billion

China and India constitute close to 75 per cent of the UHNWI population.

While the Chinese property market was stable, the Yuan appreciated 2 per cent, says the report. 

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Asian countries with the richest people: India at No 3!

September 13, 2013 09:52 IST
A groomer blow dries a dog after it was bathed at a pet grooming salon in New Delhi.

India

UNHW Population: 7,730

Total Wealth: $925 billion

Wealth-X analysis shows there are 109 billionaires in India. This group represents the top 1.4 per cent of the UHNW population, controls 20.5 per cent of the total fortune attributable to the ultra wealthy segment.

The Indian equity markets which have significant impact on the local UHNW population, declined by 8 per cent during the measuring period while the rupee declined by 25 per cent, states the report.

India has also the highest number of female millionaires in the world as the country boasts of over 1,250 UHNW women with a combined fortune of $95 billion.

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Asian countries with the richest people: India at No 3!

September 13, 2013 09:52 IST
A jewellery store in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong

UNHW Population: 3,135  

Total Wealth: $470 billion

Though Hong Kong has 3,135 UNHWs, the combined wealth loss was highest in Asia as Hong Kong, China and Japan led the wealth loss across the region.

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Asian countries with the richest people: India at No 3!

September 13, 2013 09:52 IST
A pet owner at a parlour for pets.

South Korea

UNHW Population: 1,385

Total Wealth: $265 billion

South Korea, which ranks 15th in the world by nominal GDP and 12th by purchasing power parity (PPP) is a high-income developed country and is a member of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

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Asian countries with the richest people: India at No 3!

September 13, 2013 09:52 IST
Shoppers walk past a Louis Vuitton store during Christmas Eve, at the Ion Orchard shopping mall, in central Singapore.

Singapore

UNHW Population: 1,305

Total Wealth: $155 billion

Singapore has emerged as a global wealth management hub. It is the world's fourth leading financial centre, second-biggest casino gambling market and one of the world's top three oil-refining centres.

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Asian countries with the richest people: India at No 3!

September 13, 2013 09:52 IST
A tourist walks besides kayaks and canoes on Fulong beach in New Taipei city, northeastern Taiwan.

Taiwan

UNHW Population: 1,185

Total Wealth: $200 billion

The 19th-largest economy in the world, Taiwan is ranked highly in terms of freedom of the press, health care, public education, economic freedom, and human development.

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Asian countries with the richest people: India at No 3!

September 13, 2013 09:52 IST
Indonesians queue to taste ice-cream in Magnum cafe in a Jakarta mall.

Indonesia

UNHW Population: 785

Total Wealth: $120 billion

The largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia has emerged as one of the toppers in UHNW wealth and population growth.

Indonesia has a mixed economy in which both the private sector and government play significant roles.

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Asian countries with the richest people: India at No 3!

September 13, 2013 09:52 IST
Bufori owner Tan eHong sits in her Bufori Geneva, which is fitted with a tea-making feature, at her residence in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia

UNHW Population: 780

Total Wealth: $100 billion

A newly industrialised market economy, Malaysia has one of the best economic records in Asia.

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Asian countries with the richest people: India at No 3!

September 13, 2013 09:52 IST
A boy wearing a Santa hat runs on a beach past taxi boats in TurataoMarineNational Park in southern Thailand's Satun province

Thailand

UNHW Population: 625

Total Wealth: $95 billion

A newly industrialised country Thailand boasts of 625 ultra high net worth individuals.

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Asian countries with the richest people: India at No 3!

September 13, 2013 09:52 IST
Solaire Resort & Casino in Pasay city, Metro Manila.

Philipines

UNHW Population: 580

Total Wealth: $85 billion

The Philippine economy has transformed from agriculture to focus on services and manufacturing. The rise in economic wealth has lead to a rise in the numbers of billionaires.

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Asian countries with the richest people: India at No 3!

September 13, 2013 09:52 IST
A paramilitary soldier walks past the Supreme Court building in Islamabad

Pakistan

UNHW Population: 310

Total Wealth: $40 billion

Though Pakistan’s economy is in shambles, it also figures among the toppers with 310 ultra rich individuals.

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Asian countries with the richest people: India at No 3!

September 13, 2013 09:52 IST
Luxury items are displayed for sale at a Saigon Coop supermarket in Hanoi.

Vietnam

UNHW Population: 170

Total Wealth: $19 billion

Vietnam's economic growth has been among the highest in the world. It has 170 high net worth individuals.

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Asian countries with the richest people: India at No 3!

September 13, 2013 09:52 IST
An artist hanging from balloons performs during the opening of Esentai Mall in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan

UNHW Population: 140

Total Wealth: $20 billion

Strong public spending growth, development of a new oil field in Kazakhstan and a new gas pipeline network in Turkmenistan are expected to support growth in the sub-region. With commodity and fuel prices expected to stabilise, the outlook for Central Asia remains optimistic, says the Wealth-X and UBS World Ultra Wealth Report.