Inside the Wealth of India’s Ultra-Rich: Key Insights from Bernstein Report

Swift Summary

• IndiaS Total Household Wealth: Estimated at $19.6 trillion, with 59%-or $11.6 trillion-held by the wealthiest 1% of the population, according to a Bernstein report.
• Distribution of Assets:

– Serviceable financial assets: $2.7 trillion (includes mutual funds, equities, insurance, and deposits).
– Non-serviceable assets: $8.9 trillion (includes gold, cash holdings, promoter equity, physical real estate).

• Ultra High Net worth individuals (UHNI):

– ~35,000 households have a net worth exceeding Rs 100 crore ($12 million).- Average asset value per UHNI household is Rs 472.5 crore ($54 million), including Rs 210 crore ($24 million) in financial assets.

• Financial Asset Concentration: UHNIs collectively hold about $4.5 trillion in financial assets-70% of India’s total financial wealth.

!Uber-Rich Indians)

Indian Opinion Analysis

The Bernstein report offers essential insights into wealth distribution in India which highlights inequality; while just 1% hold over half the nation’s wealth and almost all its financial riches are concentrated among UHNIs. This disparity indicates that economic policies may need to address deepening divides within society for inclusive growth.

Moreover,with significant portions of wealth invested in non-serviceable assets like gold and real estate-a traditionally conservative approach-it underscores challenges for India’s broader economy where capital allocation into growth-oriented sectors remains constrained.

India’s economic trajectory depends on balancing this inequality while mobilizing idle savings effectively toward advancement-focused investments such as infrastructure and innovation projects to sustain equitable growth.Read More