The Wealth Report 2026: Luxury is changing

The Wealth Report is published by Knight Frank, one of the world’s leading Real Estate consultancies in the premium segment with offices on every continent. The annual study analyzes the development of international wealth, the movements of ultra-high-net-worth individuals and global trends relating to prime real estate, luxury markets and investment behavior.

The Wealth Report is regarded as a relevant economic indicator far beyond the real estate sector. International banks, family offices, investors and the media use the data and analyses as a basis for strategic decisions. The international press coverage of this year’s edition was correspondingly high, including in media such as Forbes, The Independent, The Times and Euronews.

Global assets continue to grow

One of the key findings of the Wealth Report 2026 shows that the number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals is continuing to increase worldwide. UHNWIs are defined as individuals with investable assets of more than 30 million US dollars. According to Knight Frank, this group has increased significantly worldwide over the past five years. North America has developed particularly strongly, but Europe and selected Asian markets have also recorded strong growth.

At the same time, the report shows that wealth has become more mobile internationally. Political stability, security, the tax environment, quality of life and long-term value retention are increasingly influencing location decisions.

Switzerland remains a secure premium location

In this environment in particular, Switzerland continues to benefit greatly from its international positioning. The Wealth Report confirms that safe, stable and liveable regions remain particularly attractive to wealthy buyers worldwide. Zurich, the Engadin and exclusive lakeside locations continue to be among the most sought-after premium locations in Europe.

In addition to political stability, factors such as security, discretion, infrastructure, nature and long-term value retention also play a decisive role. High-quality residential properties in limited locations in particular remain in high demand internationally.

Luxury is changing

The report also shows that the understanding of luxury is changing. Instead of individual prestige properties, flexible living models, international residences and long-term quality of life are gaining in importance. Wealthy buyers today are investing more consciously and with a stronger focus on value. Real estate is increasingly viewed as a stable tangible asset and personal retreat.

As a result, the demands on real estate consulting are also changing. Today, international clients expect far more than traditional brokerage. Global reach, personal support, cultural understanding and discreet processes are in demand.

Ginesta Collection in response to an international market

The new sub-brand is Ginesta’s targeted response to the increasing internationalization of the premium segment. In future, a specialized team in Zurich and St. Moritz will focus on high-quality real estate, exclusive mandates and international client relationships.

The combination of local market knowledge and an international network forms the basis of the new brand. The launch of Ginesta Collection and the presentation of the Wealth Report therefore impressively demonstrated how closely global wealth developments and the Swiss luxury real estate market are linked today.

Read the full report here or download it as a PDF.