PDA

View Full Version : Many rich but few billionaires in Singapore



mr funny
11-04-11, 17:20
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/news/story/0,4574,433520-1302119940,00.html?

Published April 6, 2011

Many rich but few billionaires in Singapore

Wealth of high net worth individuals in Asia-Pac grew 35% last year: report

By LYNN KAN


(SINGAPORE) Singapore boasts more high net worth individuals (HNWIs) than South Korea and Taiwan, yet has fewer billionaires than the two.

As of 2010, the city-state had 219,000 of high net worth individuals with over US$1 million in investable assets, compared to South Korea's 128,000 and Taiwan's 104,000.

Yet, only seven billionaires reside in Singapore, going by Citi Private Bank-Knight Frank's The Wealth Report 2011. In contrast, South Korea has 10 billionaires and Taiwan 14.

The report, published annually, showed that over the past year, high net worth wealth grew by 35 per cent in the Asia-Pacific region, outstripping Latin America's 25 per cent and Europe's 20 per cent growths. This segment of wealth grew 22 per cent worldwide over 2010.

Total high net worth wealth in Asia-Pacific is shown by Citi-Knight Frank to be US$11 trillion.

As more of the rich get richer in this part of the world, that has also had knock-on effects on luxury property prices.

Six of the ten largest price gainers came from Asia alone, said the survey.

Prices for exclusive real estate in Singapore climbed 18 per cent, behind Shanghai's 21 per cent and Mumbai's 20 per cent.

However, the most expensive luxury hot spots are still the ones in Europe such as Monaco, London, Paris and the French Mediterranean.

Singapore trails Tokyo and Hong Kong as the 10th most expensive luxury property market in the world.

It is uncertain whether Singapore's fortunes on The Wealth Report rankings will rise or fall in the coming year. Andrew Shirley, editor of The Wealth Report, said that events in North Africa and Middle East in 2011 would likely 'serve to enhance the desirability of true global centres like London and New York'.

Senior political analyst for Citi Private Bank, Tina Fordham, said that 2011 has so far proven to be the 'Year of Living Dangerously' when it comes to the impact of politics on the global investment environment.

Over half of the individuals surveyed for the report said they were 'more concerned' about political instability now than over the past five years.

'Political risk is returning to the fore in both developed and emerging markets,' said Ms Fordham. 'In order to make sense of these developments, investors will need to be aware of this year's signposts and key risks, raising their political IQ.'

More key measures and trends about the wealthy can be found in Citi Private Bank-Knight Frank Wealth Report 2011, launched today. A digital copy can be obtained at www.knightfrank.com/wealthreport

mr funny
11-04-11, 17:20
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2011-04-06/lyciti6.jpg

Duku
11-04-11, 17:34
It would be interesting to see what % of the HNWI in Singapore are PR vs citizens.
I have a feeling if just base on citizens, the numbers would have been half or lesser..

:2cents:

sh
11-04-11, 20:57
that's interesting.... we have probably one of the highest proportion of HNWI in singapore.... 5% of population. 1 in 20 guys walking in the streets have US1mil of investments.

Wonder how much of that wealth is tied up in property. 1 property fully paid for is already US1mil....

CCR cheong ah!