In the past year, global wealth reversed a steady upward climb and fell by $12.4 trillion, largely due to currency fluctuations, per Credit Suisse. However, wealth inequality throughout the world continued to rise.
This year's report marks the first time since the Swiss bank began compiling the data in 2000 that so much of the world's wealth has been in the hands of so few. Moreover, it shows a level of inequality "possibly not seen for almost a century," the researchers write.
The figures mirrored the rise in financial asset values, as markets across the world have experienced an unusually long bull run, especially in the United States, Business Insider reports. Financial assets have risen 6% in the share of total wealth since 2008, to the benefit of the wealthy, who hold a disproportionate amount of capital.
The overall rise in global wealth continued to be driven in large part by China and the emerging markets, which have doubled their aggregate wealth since 2000. China, whose wealth has grown fivefold since the beginning of the century, was shaken by market turmoil in the middle of the year, but still managed to add $1.5 trillion in wealth, Business Insider reports.
The strengthening dollar accounted for the global contraction in wealth, down to $250.1 trillion, a level near that of 2013. Europe was the most sharply affected by this trend, with total wealth falling $10.7 trillion.
In 2015, the global one-percenters have a household net worth of at least $759,000. Those with at least $68,000 in assets made the top 10 percent.
