The number of high net worth individuals (HNWIs) in Europe has grown steadily over the past decade. This trend reflects broader wealth accumulation patterns across the continent, with the richest segments of society gaining an increasingly larger share of total wealth. Despite this concentration at the top, recent years have seen some positive signs in terms of overall income inequality reduction in Europe. Wealth concentration at the top From 1995 to 2021, the wealthiest one percent in Europe increased their share of wealth from 22 percent to over 26 percent. During this same period, the bottom 90 percent saw their collective share shrink. This concentration of wealth at the top aligns with the growth in HNWIs observed in countries in Europe. The top 10 percent of wealthy Europeans now own more than the remaining 90 percent combined, highlighting the significant wealth disparity that persists despite the overall increase in HNWIs.

Signs of improving income equality While wealth concentration has increased, there are indications that income inequality in the European Union has been improving in recent years. The Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, has been declining in both the EU and Eurozone since 2014, reaching new lows of 29.6 and 29.8 respectively in 2023. Additionally, the income ratio between the top 20 percent and bottom 20 percent of earners in the EU has fallen from 5.22 in 2015 to 4.74 in 2022. These trends suggest that despite the growth in HNWIs, efforts to address income disparities may be having some positive effects across the broader population.

This statistic presents the wealth distribution among households in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2018. Approximately 44.6 percent adults in the United Kingdom found themselves in the bracket of between 100 thousand and one million U.S. dollars as their household private wealth.

At the turn of the twentieth century, the wealthiest one percent of people in the United Kingdom controlled 71 percent of net personal wealth, while the top ten percent controlled 93 percent. The share of wealth controlled by the rich in the United Kingdom fell throughout the twentieth century, and by 1990 the richest one percent controlled 16 percent of wealth, and the richest ten percent just over half of it.

This statistic shows the projection of direct staff (full-time equivalent) in the private banking and wealth management sector in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2016, by region. The projection is based on data collected for the first, second and third quarter of 2016. Wealth management is a broad category of financial services, which includes management of client's assets, and optimization of investment portfolio, according to client's financial goals and objectives. Private banking provides services that might not include investments. It typically centers around high-net-worth-individuals (HNWIs) financial needs, offering personalized care of clients' finances, either by public or private financial institution. In 2016, approximately 16.1 thousand staff was projected to be working in London in private banking and wealth management services.

This statistic shows the numbers of offices of large wealth management companies distributed regionally in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2013 and 2016. Wealth management is a broad category of financial services, which includes management of HNWI (high-net-worth-individual) client's assets and optimization of investment portfolio, according to client's financial goals and objectives. As of 2013, 117 offices of private wealth management firms were located in London. By 2016, that number grew to 143 offices. Second in the ranking was South East region, with 77 offices in 2013 and 94 in 2016.

Data on household wealth in Great Britain by ethnic group. Includes total, property, financial, physical and private pension wealth by age, region, household composition and housing tenure.

This statistic shows the distribution of investment assets of large wealth management firms in the United Kingdom (UK) for 2016, listed by ownership status. Wealth management is a broad category of financial services, which includes management of client's assets, and optimization of investment portfolio, according to client's financial goals and objectives. Private banking provides services that might not include investments. It typically centers around high-net-worth-individuals (HNWIs) financial needs, offering personalized care of clients' finances, either by public or private financial institution. According to the data, client holding assets amounted to 524 billion British pounds in value and constituted the largest pool of wealth managers assets under management. Assets held in ISAs were second in value in the ranking, coming up to 146 billion British pounds.

The value of any pension pots already accrued that are not state basic retirement or state earning related. This includes occupational pensions, personal pensions, retained rights in previous pensions and pensions in payment.

The UK retail banking market, valued at approximately £68.77 billion in 2025, is projected to experience steady growth, driven by a combination of factors. Technological advancements, particularly in online and mobile banking, are significantly shaping customer preferences and driving market expansion. The increasing adoption of digital banking platforms, offering convenience and accessibility, is a key driver. Furthermore, the growing demand for personalized financial services and wealth management solutions among both individuals and businesses fuels market growth. Competition among established players like HSBC Holdings, Barclays PLC, and Lloyds Banking Group, along with the emergence of fintech companies, is fostering innovation and efficiency. Regulatory changes impacting lending practices and financial security also influence market dynamics. However, economic uncertainties and fluctuating interest rates pose potential challenges. The market is segmented by banking type (traditional, online, personal, business, wealth management), end-user (individuals, small businesses, corporates, high-net-worth individuals), and distribution channel (branches, online platforms, mobile apps). The shift toward digital channels presents opportunities for banks to enhance customer experience and optimize operational costs. While precise regional breakdowns within the UK are not provided, it is reasonable to expect that London and other major urban centers contribute significantly to the market size. Growth across regions will likely mirror national trends, influenced by factors such as regional economic performance, digital infrastructure availability, and the distribution of different customer segments. The projected CAGR of 3.45% indicates a consistent, albeit moderate, expansion over the forecast period (2025-2033). This moderate growth reflects the mature nature of the UK retail banking market and the potential for saturation in some segments. Nevertheless, continuous innovation and adaptation to evolving customer needs are expected to sustain the market's growth trajectory. Recent developments include: August 2024: Lloyds Bank launched a USD 137 cash offer for students opening current accounts. To qualify, students must deposit at least USD 622 between August 1 and October 31, 2024. Student account holders will also receive a 20% discount on selected Student Union events and can earn 2% interest on balances up to USD 6,219.September 2023: HSBC pioneered a partnership with Nova Credit, making it the first UK bank to allow newcomers to access their credit history from abroad. This initiative aims to facilitate smoother financial integration for individuals relocating to the United Kingdom.. Key drivers for this market are: The Shift Toward Digital Banking, with Customers Increasingly Using Online and Mobile Banking Services. Potential restraints include: The Shift Toward Digital Banking, with Customers Increasingly Using Online and Mobile Banking Services. Notable trends are: Deposit Trends and Digital Transformation Driving Traditional Banking.

This statistic shows the distribution of underlying confidence and trust drivers, according to customers of wealth management companies in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, Africa) as of 2016. As the data shows, the majority of responding clients of wealth managers and private banks operating in the countries of the region considered the transparency in portfolio performance and fees or commissions earned to be the primary driver for their confidence in the service. Firm reputation came second in the survey, with 41 percent of the client sample choosing this option.

This statistic shows the distribution of the primary strategic focuses of wealth management firm budgets in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, Africa) as of 2016. As the data shows, the majority of wealth managers and private banks operating in the countries of the region focused heavily on revenue growth, with 68 percent of respondents choosing that category. Operational efficiency was the focus of another 11 percent of wealth managers in the sample at that time.