Poland is experiencing one of the fastest expansions of private wealth anywhere in the world. According to the latest research by Knight Frank, the number of individuals with a net worth of at least US$30 million has more than doubled over the past five years, giving Poland the highest growth rate among all countries included in the firm’s global analysis.
The outlook is equally striking. Knight Frank forecasts that, over the next five years, Poland will add approximately one new ultra-high-net-worth individual (UHNWI) every day. This trend is particularly significant for the real estate sector, where property continues to play a central role in preserving and growing wealth.
The World’s Fastest Growth in Ultra-Wealthy Individuals
Although Poland still has far fewer ultra-wealthy individuals than countries such as the United States, China, or Germany, it has become the global leader in the pace at which this group is expanding.
According to Knight Frank’s latest Wealth Report, the number of Polish residents with assets exceeding US$30 million increased from 1,442 in 2021 to more than 3,000 in 2026—a remarkable 109% increase. Among the 45 countries analysed, no other market recorded faster growth.
In terms of growth rate, Poland outperformed countries including Qatar, Israel, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Germany, the United States, China, Switzerland, and Norway.
Catching Up Rapidly
Despite this exceptional momentum, Poland remains a relatively small market in absolute terms.
Knight Frank estimates that between 2021 and 2026, the global economy added an average of 89 new UHNWIs every day, with approximately 40% coming from the United States and one in seven from China.
During the same period, Poland added fewer than one new ultra-wealthy individual per day. While this highlights the country’s smaller overall wealth base, it also demonstrates the extraordinary speed at which Poland is closing the gap with more mature economies.
The Growth Story Is Far From Over
Knight Frank expects this trend to continue. By 2031, the number of Polish UHNWIs is projected to increase from approximately 3,000 today to more than 4,900, representing growth of over 60%. The number of billionaires is expected to rise even more dramatically—from 13 in 2026 to 29 by 2031.
Only Indonesia and Saudi Arabia are forecast to achieve faster growth in the number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals over the coming years. When it comes to billionaire growth, only Saudi Arabia is expected to outperform Poland.
Put simply, the projections suggest that Poland could add one new UHNWI every day, while welcoming a new billionaire approximately every three to four months.
Real Estate Remains a Cornerstone of Wealth Preservation
These trends have important implications for the real estate market.
According to Knight Frank, real estate remains one of the most important asset classes for wealthy entrepreneurs and business owners. It is widely regarded as a stable, long-term store of value that provides both capital preservation and financial security.
As a result, property continues to form the foundation of many high-net-worth investment portfolios worldwide.
Property Represents Nearly Half of Wealth Portfolios
Knight Frank’s previous research provides further insight into how the world’s wealthiest individuals allocate their assets.
According to the firm’s 2024 Wealth Report, approximately 29% of the average UHNWI’s wealth is invested in residential property used for personal purposes, including primary residences, luxury apartments, and holiday homes.
On average, ultra-wealthy individuals own almost four residential properties, and roughly one-third report that they occasionally rent out their second homes when they are not using them.
Beyond personal residences, income-generating real estate accounts for an additional 20% of the average investment portfolio.
This category includes a broad range of assets such as office buildings, residential rental properties, hotels, serviced apartments, logistics facilities, retail centres, commercial premises, and increasingly, data centres.
Taken together, these figures illustrate the enduring role of real estate as both a wealth-preservation strategy and a long-term income-generating investment—particularly for the world’s fastest-growing segment of high-net-worth investors.
5S Invest Research & Analysis Team
5s.com.pl
