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Global wealth is growing

Overall, the world’s population is richer than ever, with global personal wealth growing 10.8% in 2025, after more modest growth of 4.6% in 2024, and 4.2% in 2023. This is according to UBS Bank’s annual Global Wealth Report 2026, which also offers national rankings of average wealth per adult. Canada came in at 13th in the world at just below $400,000 (in US dollars) per adult. Switzerland topped this ranking at over $900,000 per adult, with the U.S. in second at just under $700,000. Personal wealth, often referred to as “net worth,” consists of all of a person’s assets, including real estate, savings, retirement accounts, and stock portfolios. This average wealth number includes very high net worth individuals, which can skew the results, which is why median wealth – the mid-point where half of Canadians have more and half have less – may be a more meaningful statistic. On this ranking, Canada is higher on the UBS list at 7th place, with a median wealth per adult estimate of around $150,000, well ahead of the U.S. ranking of 28th on this same list (around $70,000 per adult). America’s lower ranking in the median scale shows that there is indeed a large gap in the U.S. between the very rich and those of more modest means, while this disparity is smaller in Canada. Despite these positive reports, Canadians might not feel wealthier for a number of reasons. Being wealthier (having a higher net worth) does not mean that one has quick access to more cash. For example, the value of your home may have risen significantly, but that doesn’t help you to pay for this month’s utility bills. Many are also feeling the squeeze from higher prices for everyday purchases like gasoline and groceries due to inflation and tariffs. Nonetheless, it’s worth reflecting on how we are, today, experiencing unprecedented riches when compared to how people have lived for all of the history of the world. Poverty rates are falling all over the world: in the mid 1970’s, nearly half of the world’s population lived in extreme poverty; today, roughly 1 in 10 people live below the global poverty line. In 1 Chronicles 29, after requesting gifts from the people in preparation for Solomon’s building of the temple, King David prays to the Lord before the assembled Israelites. He reminds them – and us – that,

“Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own we have given you.” (1 Chron. 29:12-14)

May we also remember that our wealth has been entrusted to us, but it is ultimately all the Lord’s, and may we always be ready to give freely and joyfully for His kingdom.