Thanks to numerous wealthy individuals, average worth in the Alpine country was $685,000 (CHF600,000), according to a study published on Tuesday by UBS and its subsidiary Credit Suisse.
Switzerland was followed in the rankings by the US and Hong Kong.
Its top ranking comes despite a decline, which was a trend worldwide. Global household wealth fell last year for the first time since the 2008 financial crisis, says the report. The total private wealth of adults around the world shrank by 2.4 % to $454.4 trillion in 2022.
Financial assets lost value while real estate proved resilient despite rapidly rising interest rates. Above average losses were recorded in the US, Hong Kong and Australia.
The authors expect a turnaround in the coming years, however. Total wealth by 2027 is expected to rise by 38% to $629 trillion, mainly thanks to growth in countries with medium wealth. The study estimates that the number of millionaires worldwide will reach 86 million in five years.
Popular Stories
More
Multinational companies
Azeri fossil-fuel cash cow brings controversy to Switzerland
Is artificial intelligence an advantage or a disadvantage for workers?
What is your experience with AI at work? Have you already used it? Has it helped you work better? Or has it caused you more stress, more work or caused you to lose your job? Tell us about your experiences!
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
This content was published on
How did the small mountainous country become one of the wealthiest in the world? This SRF documentary examines some of the possible factors.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.