Here's how much money you need to make to join the world's richest 1% (2024)

It's getting more expensive to crack into the top 1% of wealth in the U.S.

You now need a net worth of at least $5.8 million in order to be part of that small but elite group, according to the upcoming 2024 wealth report from Knight Frank. That is a notable 12% increase from the $5.1 million needed just one year ago.

By comparison, Americans needed a net worth of $4.4 million to receive the coveted 1% status in 2022.

Even though the U.S. economy is the largest in the world, the threshold to enter the top 1% is much steeper in other countries.

MORE AMERICANS ARE GETTING A SECOND JOB TO OFFSET STING OF HIGH INFLATION

Here's how much money you need to make to join the world's richest 1% (2)

Moored yachts are seen at the Hercules Port during the 32nd edition of the International Monaco Yacht Show in Monaco on Sept. 27, 2023. (VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The toughest country to join the ranks of the richest is Monaco, where it requires a whopping $12.9 million. That marks a 3.2% increase from the previous year.

Luxembourg and Switzerland also have a higher threshold, with respective requirements of $10.83 million and $8.5 million to be part of the top 1%, according to the findings from Knight Frank, which were first reported by Bloomberg.

The U.S. places fourth globally in terms of assets needed to join that ultra-exclusive club. It's followed by Singapore, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Germany.

HIGH INFLATION IS STILL SQUEEZING AMERICANS' BUDGETS

"Our findings confirm the substantial differences in wealth distribution between countries,"Knight Frank said in the report. "Expect greater policy focus on where wealth is located, how it is distributed across economies and how governments can both tax it and encourage its growth."

The findings come as high inflation and rising interest rates continue to ravage lower- and middle-income Americans.

Here's how much money you need to make to join the world's richest 1% (3)

A recent study found that the power of a six-figure salary is rapidly fading in America. (iStock / iStock)

A recent study published by GOBankingRates found that the power of a six-figure salary is rapidly fading in America, especially in more expensive cities like San Francisco; Arlington, Virginia; and San Jose, California. In fact, a salary of $150,000 is even considered to be "lower middle class" in some of these cities, the study said.

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But even as everyday families have seen their purchasing power diminished by rising prices, the 400 richest people in the U.S. have seen their net worth skyrocket, thanks to the rebounding stock market and AI-driven tech boom.

Forbes reported in December that the wealthiest 400 Americans gained an aggregate $500 billion in 2023, and are now worth a collective $4.5 trillion. That marks the highest level since 2021, according to the Forbes' Real-Time Billionaires List.

Here's how much money you need to make to join the world's richest 1% (2024)

FAQs

Here's how much money you need to make to join the world's richest 1%? ›

You need more money than ever to enter the ranks of the top 1% of the richest Americans. To join the club of the wealthiest citizens in the U.S., you'll need at least $5.8 million, up about 15% up from $5.1 million one year ago, according to global real estate company Knight Frank's 2024 Wealth Report.

How much do you need to join the richest 1%? ›

According to the latest findings from the 18th edition of the Wealth Report by Douglas Elliman and Knight Frank, a person needs $5.8 million to be considered in the wealthiest 1% — a figure that, while substantial, is a far cry from the billionaire benchmark. Don't Miss: Are you rich?

How much do you have to make to be in the top 1% of the world? ›

You now need a net worth of at least $5.8 million in order to be part of that small but elite group, according to the upcoming 2024 wealth report from Knight Frank. That is a notable 12% increase from the $5.1 million needed just one year ago.

How much wealth do you need to join the 1% club in your country? ›

How to Join the 1% Club?
CountriesRegionWealth (USD)
U.S.N. America$5,813,000
SingaporeAsia$5,227,000
SwedenEurope$4,761,000
AustraliaOceania$4,673,000
13 more rows
Mar 6, 2024

What does it take to join the 1% Bloomberg? ›

Breaking into the top 1% of wealth in the US is getting harder. It now takes at least $5.8 million to join the richest echelon in the world's largest economy, almost 15% more than about 12 months ago, according to research from Knight Frank.

How much money do you need to be part of the 1%? ›

You need more money than ever to enter the ranks of the top 1% of the richest Americans. To join the club of the wealthiest citizens in the U.S., you'll need at least $5.8 million, up about 15% up from $5.1 million one year ago, according to global real estate company Knight Frank's 2024 Wealth Report.

What net worth do you need to be in the top 1% in USA? ›

In the U.S., it may take you $5.81 million to be in the top 1%, but it takes a minimum net worth of $30 million to be considered among the ultra-high net worth crowd. As of the end of 2023, this ultra-high net worth population is on the rise, reaching 626,000 globally, up from just over 600,000 a year earlier.

What is the top 1% income in the world? ›

How to Make the Top 1% List
2021 Average Annual Wages
GroupAvg. Wages
Top 1% of Earners$819,324
Top 5% of Earners$335,891
Top 10% of Earners$167,639
1 more row

What is the average salary for the top 1%? ›

How much do you need to earn to be in the top 1% income bracket? To be in the top 1% of earners, you're looking at an average annual income of $819,324. The top 0.1% of Americans earn an average of $3,312,693.

Is 500k a year rich? ›

Based on that figure, an annual income of $500,000 or more would make you rich. The Economic Policy Institute uses a different baseline to determine who constitutes the top 1% and the top 5%. For 2021, you're in the top 1% if you earn $819,324 or more each year. The top 5% of income earners make $335,891 per year.

Is it worth belonging to a country club? ›

Country clubs provide their members with access to amazing golf courses at a fraction of the cost of paying green fees. In addition, country clubs offer their members other benefits, such as social activities and discounts on merchandise and food.

How much money do you need to be rich in 2024? ›

According to IRS standards, a monthly income of approximately $45,000 qualifies someone as wealthy. However, if you're aiming for the top 1% as measured by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), you'd need to earn about $68,277 monthly.

Who belongs to the 1%? ›

An individual would have to earn an average of $407,500 per year to join the top 1%. A household would need an income of $591,550. The median household income was $74,580 in 2023 and $45,440 for individuals.

What is the income of the 1 percent of the world population? ›

If you earn $60,000 a year after tax and you don't have kids, you're in the richest 1 percent of the world's population. If you have a household income of $130,000 after tax and you've got a partner and one kid, you're also in the richest 1 percent.

What is the net worth of the top 0.1 percent? ›

US households have added US$37 trillion in wealth in the past four years, but the distribution has become more concentrated among the very rich – the top 0.1 per cent. Those roughly 133,000 split about US$20 trillion in wealth between them as of the end of 2023, equating to some US$150 million per household.

What is the top 1% salary in Monaco? ›

The country with the highest barrier to 1% entry is Monaco, where more than $12.8 million is required to be part of that top-percentage-point category as of the end of 2023.

What wealth do you need to be in the top 1 percent? ›

The Knight Frank Wealth Report suggests that the entry point for the top 1% in India is around $12.4 million (slightly over Rs. 102 crore), considering wealth encompassing assets, investments, and property.

What is considered 1% rich? ›

As of the second quarter 2023, the average American household had wealth of $1.09 million. The average wealth of households in the top 1 percent was about $33.4 million. In the top 0.1 percent, the average household had wealth of more than $1.52 billion.

How do you get to the top 1% of wealth? ›

Fortune reported that an American needs an estimated net worth of $5.8 million to enter the top 1%. You would also need to have an average annual income of $819,324. Notably, the U.S. is ranked fourth globally in terms of assets needed to reach the top 1% of the population.

Do you need a net worth of $5.8 million to be among the richest 1% of Americans report finds? ›

It's getting harder to reach the 1%. To cross the threshold this year, an American would need to have a net worth of $5.8 million. That's up from last year's $5.1 million, an increase of nearly 15%, according to the latest wealth report from Douglas Elliman and Knight Frank.

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