Europe’s Wealth Divide: A 2026 Analysis
Wealth inequality remains a significant issue across Europe, with substantial differences in average wealth per adult among its nations. A recent report by UBS, the Global Wealth Report 2025, highlights these disparities, revealing a wide range in net worth across the continent.
Understanding Wealth: Net Worth Defined
Net worth, or wealth, is calculated as the total value of a household’s assets – including financial holdings and real estate – minus its outstanding debts. This metric provides a snapshot of economic well-being, but both average and median wealth figures have limitations and can present differing conclusions.
Wealth Distribution Across Europe in 2024
According to the UBS Global Wealth Report 2025, the average wealth per adult in 2024 varied considerably across 31 European countries. The range extended from €29,923 in Turkey to €634,584 in Switzerland . Within the European Union, the gap was smaller but still substantial, ranging from €44,568 in Romania to €523,591 in Luxembourg .
The Richest Nations in Europe
Switzerland and Luxembourg stand out as the wealthiest countries in Europe, with average wealth per adult exceeding €500,000. Denmark ranks third with €444,898 . Other nations with average wealth above €300,000 include the Netherlands (€342,477), Norway (€340,364), Belgium (€322,805), the United Kingdom (€313,840), and Sweden (€308,935) . Notably, the UK is the wealthiest among Europe’s five largest economies.
Wealth Among Major European Economies
Among the five largest European economies, Italy has the lowest average wealth, at €198,321 . France’s average wealth is €278,550, Germany’s is €237,172, and Spain’s is €215,945 .
Countries with Lower Average Wealth
More than a third of European countries have an average wealth per adult below €100,000. This group includes Latvia (€91,783), the Czech Republic (€86,791), Croatia (€76,358), Estonia (€72,276), Lithuania (€63,189), Slovakia (€58,573), Poland (€56,159), Hungary (€55,276), Romania (€44,568), and Turkey (€29,923) . Bulgaria, with €47,798, ranks near the bottom, ahead of only Romania and Turkey.
The Importance of Median Wealth
The report emphasizes that average wealth can be skewed by a small number of very wealthy individuals. The median wealth – the midpoint of the wealth distribution – provides a more accurate picture of typical wealth levels. In all countries, median wealth is lower than the average. For example, in Switzerland, the median wealth is €168,374, significantly lower than the average of €634,584 .
Median Wealth Rankings
Luxembourg has the highest median wealth at €365,244, followed by Belgium (€234,238), Denmark (€199,647), Switzerland (€168,374), and the United Kingdom (€162,944) . Among major economies, the UK leads in median wealth, while Germany has the lowest at €69,949.
Shifts in Rankings: Average vs. Median
The rankings shift when using median wealth instead of average wealth. Bulgaria moves up two positions, while Germany, Sweden, Austria, and the Czech Republic fall six places. Malta gains six positions, moving from 17th to 11th. Belgium, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Slovakia, France, and the UK also improve their rankings when considering median wealth .
Recent Wealth Growth (2023-2024)
Wealth per adult increased in most European countries between 2023 and 2024. Hungary recorded the highest real growth in median wealth (18.6%), followed by Lithuania (16.9%), Sweden (15.3%), Italy and Latvia (both 15%) . Turkey and Belgium were the only European countries to experience a decline in median wealth during this period, with Turkey seeing a significant drop of 20.9% and Belgium a more moderate fall of 5.6% .