India 6th richest in world: Report

India has been ranked sixth in the list of wealthiest countries with total wealth of $8,230 billion, while the United States topped the chart, says a report.

According to a report by New World Wealth, the US is the wealthiest country in the world as the total wealth held in 2017 amounted to $64,584 billion, followed by China at the second place with $24,803 billion and Japan with $ 19,522 billion at third. Total wealth refers to the private wealth held by all the individuals living in each country/city. It includes all their assets (property, cash, equities, business interests) less any liabilities. 

The report, however, excludes government funds from its figures. Others in the list include United Kingdom (4th, $ 9,919 billion), Germany (5th, $9,660 billion), France (7th, $6,649 billion), Canada (8th, $6,393 billion), Australia (9th, $6,142 billion) and Italy (10th, $ 4,276 billion). The report further noted that India was the best performing wealth market globally in 2017 as its total wealth swelled from $6,584 billion in 2016 to $8,230 billion in 2017, registering a 25 per cent growth. 

Meanwhile, during the period under consideration China’s wealth saw an increase of 22 per cent and global wealth rose by 12 per cent (from $192 trillion at the end of 2016 to $ 215 trillion at the end of 2017). Over the past decade (2007-2017) India’s total wealth increased from $3,165 billion in 2007 to $8,230 billion in 2017, a jump of 160 per cent.

The report further noted that India, is home to 3,30,400 HNWIs (individuals with $1 million or more in net assets). Globally, India was ranked 9th in this aspect while US topped the list with 50,47,400 HNWIs (highnet-worth individuals).

India is also home to 20,730 multi-millionaires, seventh largest in the world. And in terms of resident billionaires, India with 119 such individuals was named among the top three countries globally, after the US and China. 

A billionaire is defined as an individual with $ 1 billion or more in net assets. “In general, it was a good year for all W10 (wealthiest 10) markets, thanks to strong global stock market gains - the MSCI world index was up 23 per cent and the Dow Jones (DJIA) was up 26 per cent during the year (in $ terms),” the report said, adding “wealth held in China, India, USA, Japan and Australia all grew strongly over the past year”.