Fresh report: Hungarians see fastest wealth growth in Europe

Hungarian citizens experienced the highest net wealth growth in Europe between 2023 and 2024, measured in local currency, according to UBS’s 2025 Global Wealth Report. This places Hungary ahead of other emerging European economies, outpacing countries such as Lithuania, Sweden, and Italy.

18.6% median increase – a European record

Median wealth per adult in Hungary rose by 18.6% in just one year, according to Euronews. This marks the highest increase in Europe: Lithuania ranks second with 16.9%, followed by Sweden at 15.3%, and both Italy and Latvia at 15%. Median data offers a clearer picture of wealth growth, as it is less skewed by extreme (typically ultra-wealthy) outliers compared to averages.

While most European countries recorded growth, exceptions include Belgium and Turkey, where median wealth declined by 5.6% and 20.9% respectively—largely due to macroeconomic conditions and fluctuations in financial markets.

Striking contrasts among major economies

Among Europe’s five largest economies, Italy recorded the strongest increase at 15%, while the UK saw the lowest at 5.3%. France (10.3%), Germany (9.5%), and Spain (9%) ranked in between. Switzerland—Europe’s wealthiest country by average per capita wealth—saw a 7.7% rise in its median wealth.

The report highlights that rising prosperity has primarily benefited the middle class: in many countries, there is a noticeable gap between average and median growth. For instance, Switzerland’s median wealth rose by 14%, while its average actually declined—suggesting that gains emerged more rapidly among the broader population than among the wealthiest.