Millionaires

A millionaire is a person whose net worth, defined as the total value of their assets minus their liabilities, is at least one million in a given currency, commonly the US dollar, euro, or pound sterling. Net worth is a snapshot that can fluctuate with asset prices, exchange rates, and debt levels, and different surveys use different counting methods.

Most millionaires accumulate wealth through a combination of ownership in businesses, investments (stocks, bonds, funds), real estate, and inheritance. Employment income alone often falls short of reaching the threshold; many achieve wealth gradually via long-term investments, entrepreneurship, or family wealth. Wealth is not synonymous with current income.

Globally, the distribution of millionaires mirrors broader economic wealth, with most in high-income economies. Estimates place tens of millions of people in the millionaire bracket, concentrated in the United States, Europe, and parts of Asia. Figures vary by year and methodology, with sources such as financial journals and wealth reports providing annual tallies.

Within wealth measurement, related terms include high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) for net worth above $1 million, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) above $30 million. For policy and finance, millionaire status carries implications for wealth management, taxation, estate planning, and inequality debates.