Around 10% to 13% of Australian adults are millionaires, depending on the report, with figures suggesting roughly 2.8 million millionaires in late 2024, making Australia a global leader in millionaire population proportion, largely driven by property and superannuation wealth. Reports from UBS and Finder highlight that one in ten Australians have over $1 million in net worth, with significant growth fueled by housing.
When all assets were counted, Australia had roughly 2.8 million millionaires – making up 13 per cent of the adult population. This was one of the highest proportions globally. “Many of these millionaires have landed in this once-elusive club simply because the value of their homes has grown,” the report said.
“The proportion of wealth held in cash and deposits is lowest in Australia at just above 10 per cent, only half as much as in Switzerland, Singapore and the UK.” In US dollar terms, Australia counts 1.9 million millionaires and is ranked eighth in UBS' millionaire index.
Consistent with the findings of our Inequality in Australia 2020 report, wealth is still very unequally distributed in 2021-22. The highest 10% of households by wealth has an average of $6.1 million or 46% of all wealth. The next 30% have an average of $1.7 million or 38% of all wealth.
How much money you need to be considered wealthy across the U.S.—it's over $2 million in most places. To be considered wealthy in the U.S., Americans say you need a net worth of $2.3 million in 2025 — but that number can be even higher depending on where you live.
$1 Million in Liquid Assets
“Within the financial industry, for example, we determine someone who is 'high-net-worth' to be rich,” said Tree. “This is the level at which people usually need specialist personal wealth management services, and is the label given when an individual acquires $1 million in liquid assets.”
According to estimates based on the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, a mere 3.2% of retirees have over $1 million in their retirement accounts. The number of those with $2 million or more is even smaller, falling somewhere between this 3.2% and the 0.1% who have $5 million or more saved.
Around 80,000 Australians had over $2 million in superannuation as of 2019-2020 data, with estimates suggesting this number might be higher now due to asset growth, potentially affecting around 80,000 people with balances over $3 million by 2025. While most with high balances are older, some young individuals (under 30) also hold over $2 million in super.
In 2022 the median income in Australia was $65,000 a year according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Anyone making less than this amount would be considered working class. Anyone making more than $137,000 falls in the top 10% which is considered upper class.
Gina Rinehart got rich by inheriting her father's mining company, Hancock Prospecting, and transforming it into a mining giant, primarily by developing the massive Roy Hill iron ore mine, leveraging booming demand from China, and strategically expanding into other sectors like agriculture, energy, and critical minerals. She built on her father's legacy by securing key tenements and using joint ventures to finance huge projects, making her family's company incredibly valuable.
You can retire on $1 million dollars at any age. This amount can provide you with an income of around $40,000 per year, increasing with inflation, indefinitely – without the need to draw down in the capital amount – meaning you will still have $1 million (in today's dollars) in capital at the end.
The top ten financial mistakes most people make after retirement are:
The average age of a first time millionaires is 37, it has been found. In data released by Betway Insider, the average age of a first time billionaire is also revealed: and is a little higher at 51. So, if you're not quite there yet, what can you do to make your first million?
Altogether, according to an estimate by UBS Wealth Management, the United States is home to ~22m millionaire households — roughly one of every six households. Millionaires are defined by owning at least $1m in total assets (stocks, retirement accounts, housing, etc.), minus debts.
Australia ranks twice on the top 50 list, with Sydney in 17th place and Melbourne in 30th place worldwide. Sydney is currently home to 205 centi-millionaires while Melbourne has 112.
According to Knight Frank's The Wealth Report 2024, the threshold for Aussies has fallen to US$4.673m (A$6.9m) from US$5.5m ($8.14m) in 2023. However, the entry point to the top 1% is still significantly more than the US$2.8 million (A$4.1m) required in 2021.
Yes, $600,000 can be enough to retire at 60 in Australia for many, especially if you're a single person aiming for a comfortable lifestyle, but it depends heavily on your spending, assets, and eligibility for the Age Pension. While some sources suggest $600k covers a single's comfortable retirement (around $52k-$53k/year), it's near the lower end, and couples might need closer to $700k for a similar standard, making financial planning crucial for a stress-free retirement.
"Schwab Survey Reveals That Americans Think It Takes $2.5 Million To Be Considered Wealthy in 2024." Tax Foundation. "Summary of the Latest Federal Income Tax Data, 2024 Update."
Net worth includes financial assets (e.g. Superannuation and other financial assets) and non-financial assets (e.g. property) less liabilities (e.g. principal outstanding on home loans, amount owing on credit cards and other loans).
Achieving a $2 million nest egg for retirement is relatively uncommon among Americans. According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute, less than 2% of households have $2 million or more saved for retirement.
The short answer: to retire on $80,000 a year in Australia, you'll need a super balance of roughly between $700,000 and $1.4 million. It's a broad range, and that's because everyone's circumstances are different.
Can you live off interest of 2 million dollars? Yes, it is possible to live off $2 million in invested assets if you manage your portfolio wisely. A common approach is to invest the money in an index fund to generate interest and dividends.
Research shows that less than 1% of households have $3 million or more in retirement savings. While this amount is uncommon, those who consistently invest, save diligently and manage their spending can build significant retirement assets over time.