Mumbai has highest ultra-wealthy population in the country: Knight Frank Wealth Report

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FPJ Web Desk Updated: Tuesday, March 01, 2022, 02:49 PM IST
Art is the most preferred investment by Indian UHNWIs, followed by Jewellery and Classic Cars.
/ Representative Image |

Art is the most preferred investment by Indian UHNWIs, followed by Jewellery and Classic Cars. / Representative Image |

Mumbai is home to 1596 ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWIs, with net worth of $ 30m and above) in the year 2021, which is highest in the country.

The UHNWI population in the city is expected to increase by 29.6 percent to 2069 by 2026. In the last 5 years, Mumbai’s ultra-rich population has grown by 42.6 percent from 1,119 in 2016 to 1,596 in 2021, according to Knight Frank’s The Wealth Report 2022.

In India, the number of UHNWIs grew by 11 percent YoY in 2021, the highest percentage growth in APAC. India also ranked 6th in percentage growth of the UHNWI population that is self-made and under the age of 40 years. Globally, the number of ultra-wealthy population saw an annual increase of 9.3 percent to 610,569 in 2021.

Wealth surge in the UHNWI population |

Shishir Baijal, Chairman & Managing Director, Knight Frank India said “Equity markets and digital adoption have been key factors driving the growth of UHNWIs in India. The growth in younger, self-made UHNWIs has been incredible in India and we foresee them to drive new investment themes and innovation. With a healthy growth in the UHNWI and Billionaire population, India is expected to be one of the fastest growing countries amongst its global peers, further strengthening itself economically and emerging as a superpower in different sectors.”

Proportion of total wealth in realty

According to the Attitude Survey that is part of the Wealth Report 2022, 29 percent wealth of Indian UHNWIs is allocated towards purchase of principal and second homes. Further, 22 percent of UHNWIs investable wealth was allocated towards direct purchase of commercial property (including rental property, offices etc) while 8 percent of the investable wealth was allocated towards indirect purchase of commercial property (includes REITs, funds). Additionally, the survey cited that 8 percent of the property portfolio is held overseas.

How much space can $1 mn buy?

Monaco continues its reign as the world’s most expensive city where $1 million can get you 14.6 square metres of space followed by Hong Kong (21.3 sq.mt) and London (30.6 sq.mt) in 2021.

Comparatively in Mumbai, you can purchase 108.1 square metres (1164.02 sq.ft.) of prime residential real estate, 2 percent increase compared to 106 square meters (1140.9 sq. ft.) in 2020.

In Delhi, you can purchase 206.1 square metres (2218 sq.ft.) and Bengaluru 357.3 square metres (3845.9 sq.ft.) of prime residential real estate with an increase of 2.03% and 1.76% respectively.

Passion-led investments

According to the attitude survey conducted by Knight Frank’s The Wealth Report 2022, 11 percent of the investable wealth of Indian ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWI, whose net worth is $30m or more) is allocated towards passion-led investments against the global average of 16 percent.

Objects of desire for UHNWIs | Source: The Wealth Report Attitudes Survey

About 29 percent of Indian UHNWIs spent more on passion investments during the year 2021. Joy of ownership scored above investment returns and marked as the driving factor to collect investments of passion by the Indian ultra-rich.

Art was the most preferred investment by Indian UHNWIs, followed by Jewellery and Classic Cars. Luxury Handbags and Wines, slipped from their earlier first positions to 5th and 7th respectively in 2021. According to Knight Frank’s luxury investment index (global), art provided a return of 13 percent in a 12 - month period and 75% percent over 10 years.

Published on: Tuesday, March 01, 2022, 02:49 PM IST

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