Top 12 Wealthiest Countries: 2013

The world’s population of high-net-worth individuals increased by 9.2% in 2012, reaching a record 12 million after remaining flat in 2011, according to the 2013 World Wealth Report, published by Capgemini and RBC Wealth Management.

Meanwhile, aggregate investable wealth increased by 10% to $46 trillion, after declining slightly in 2011. North America and the Asia/Pacific region drove global growth, expanding 11.5% and 9.4%, respectively, in HNW population.

Asia/Pacific is home to the majority of the fastest-growing HNW country markets, the report said, and is expected to surpass North America again in the near future.

The report defined high-net-worth individuals as those with investable assets of $1 million or more, excluding primary residence, collectibles, consumables and consumer durables.

(Check out Top 10 Best Foreign Countries for Retirement: 2013 on ThinkAdvisor.)

HNW wealth in 2012 shot past the historical high of nearly $43 trillion set in 2010, according to the report. Relatively stronger growth rates in higher wealth bands ($5 million or more) led the growth of overall investable wealth globally. The report forecasted 6.5% annual growth in HNW wealth to some $56 trillion by 2015.

The top three countries accounted for 53% of all HNW individuals, down from 54.7% in 2006, but their market share is expected to erode as emerging markets increase in prominence, the report said.

Following is the 2012 ranking in HNW populations.

12. South Korea

2012: 160,000

2011: 144,000

Increase: 10.9%

11. Brazil

2012: 165,000

2011: 165,000

Increase: 0.2%

10. Italy

2012: 176,000

2011: 168,000

Increase: 4.5%

9. Australia

2012: 207,000

2011: 180,000

Increase: 15.1%

8. Switzerland

2012: 282,000

2011: 252,000

Increase: 12%