"On behalf of Merrill Lynch and Capgemini, we are pleased to present
the 2007 World Wealth Report. This is our 11th annual in-depth look at
changes in the high net worth marketplace, which includes our read of
macroeconomic factors shaping the behaviors of wealthy individuals
around the globe, and our insight as to what is driving growth in the
industry."
Driven by a strong global economy, the wealth of the world's
high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) increased 11.4 percent to US$37.2
trillion in 2006, according to the 11th annual World Wealth Report,
released today by Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER) and Capgemini. The number
of HNWIs in the world increased 8.3 percent in 2006 to 9.5 million and
the number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (Ultra-HNWIs) grew by
11.3 percent to 94,970.
Emerging economies proved resilient, with continued growth in their
HNWI populations and solid investor cash flow to riskier corners of the
market. The largest growth of the HNWI population occurred in Singapore
and India, where the increases over 2005 was 21.2 and 20.5 percent,
respectively. The Report suggests that economic growth will slow in
2007 as mature economies grow more moderately.