Here’s Why Australians Are Among the World’s Wealthiest

Key takeaways

Australians are now the third-wealthiest people globally, with average net wealth of €383,720 (about $686,000) per person — behind only Switzerland and the U.S.

This rise reflects strong asset values, particularly in property and superannuation.

Real estate makes up the largest share of household wealth, averaging €273,440 per person.

Property values have grown by 5.4% annually (2.7% after inflation) over the past 20 years.

Australia’s superannuation system now totals around $4.2 trillion, with nearly half (48%) of all financial assets held in super and insurance products — double the global average.

It might not feel like it when you’re at the checkout or watching your mortgage repayments rise, but Australians have quietly become some of the richest people on the planet.

According to the latest Allianz Global Wealth Report 2025, the average Australian is now worth €383,720 (about $686,000) — making us the third-wealthiest population in the world, behind Switzerland and the United States.

Source: Allianz Global Wealth Report 2025,

So, how did we get here?

Property: the foundation of our wealth

It won’t surprise anyone that real estate is the main pillar of Australian wealth.

On average, our property holdings are valued at €273,440 per person, second only to the Swiss.

Over the past two decades, the report shows Australian real estate has delivered an average compound annual growth of 5.4%, or 2.7% after inflation - far stronger than most developed nations.

Despite constant headlines about affordability pressures, our strong population growth, land scarcity in major cities, and ingrained belief in property as a path to financial security have made bricks and mortar the backbone of household wealth.

Superannuation: the sleeping giant of wealth

One of the most underappreciated contributors to Australia’s global wealth ranking is our superannuation system — now worth around $4.2 trillion.

Nearly half of all Australians’ financial assets (48%) are tied up in superannuation and insurance products - almost double the global average of 26%.

That’s an extraordinary statistic that highlights how mandatory saving has worked in our favour.

Smarter investors, broader portfolios

Another quiet revolution is how Australians invest.

A decade ago, the typical investor had 60% of their portfolio in local shares and the rest in bonds.

Today, that’s flipped. More sophisticated investors now hold 30–40% in international shares, 25% in alternatives, and the rest spread across cash and fixed income.

That diversification not only improves returns but also helps cushion portfolios during local downturns - a sign that Australian investors are becoming globally savvy.

The global context: winners and losers

Allianz’s 2025 report shows Australia climbed seven places in global wealth rankings in just one year, the biggest leap of any nation.

Meanwhile, Sweden and Japan slipped, largely due to weaker asset markets and currency movements.

The United States remains wealthy but is being challenged by smaller, high-asset countries like Switzerland and Australia, where property and pension systems amplify household balance sheets.

So what does it all mean?

The numbers confirm what many property investors already know: while the cost of living bites, our asset base is incredibly strong.

It’s a timely reminder that wealth isn’t just about your weekly cash flow – it’s about the long-term accumulation of assets that appreciate over time.

And for Australians, property and superannuation remain the twin engines of prosperity.

So next time you hear talk about a housing “crisis” or “bubble”, remember that our national wealth story tells a very different tale:

Australians aren’t just surviving — we’re quietly becoming some of the wealthiest people on earth. 

About Joseph Ballota Joseph is a Senior Wealth Strategist at Metropole. He focuses on ensuring all clients grow, protect, and pass on their wealth by assisting them in the strategic selection, financing, acquisition, and management of their investment properties. Being an investor himself for over 20 years, Joseph is able to give clients a detailed perspective for their strategic property plan