Advisors serving ultra-high-net-worth clients face a demographic inflection point that extends beyond headline growth figures. A new report from Altrata, the wealth intelligence firm, details how the world's roughly 557,000 individuals with fortunes exceeding $30 million are aging rapidly, with nearly 40%—about 220,000 people—now aged 70 or older. That cohort, combined with a projected doubling of female wealth control by 2040, is reshaping succession planning and portfolio management for financial intermediaries.
The average age of the global ultra-wealthy population stands at 67, but regional variations are stark. North America's UHNW cohort averages 68 years, four years older than Asia's, where a younger generation of entrepreneurs has driven wealth creation over the past two to three decades. Europe falls in between, reflecting a mix of inherited family fortunes and newer gains from central and eastern European entrepreneurs. Only 8% of the global ultra-wealthy are under 50, underscoring the long accumulation period typical for this tier, even as technology and faster asset transfers have accelerated the process for some.
Self-made wealth dominates in North America, where four in five UHNW individuals built their own fortunes, compared with roughly two-thirds in Europe and Asia. Altrata points to the U.S.'s deep bias toward entrepreneurialism, equity ownership, and diversified asset growth. China stands out within Asia with a 92% share of self-made wealth, while Japan and India show notably lower proportions of fully self-created fortunes. This distinction matters for advisors because self-made wealth often involves concentrated business holdings that require careful liquidity planning during transfers.
Gender dynamics are a second major axis of change. Women currently represent just 12% of the global ultra-wealthy population, up modestly from 8.2% in 2016 to roughly 10.2% today. But Altrata forecasts that share will nearly double to 19% by 2040, driven by expanding female entrepreneurship, rising executive compensation, and the accelerating pace of intergenerational wealth transfers already underway. Asia currently has the highest share of female UHNW individuals at 13%, attributed in part to its larger pool of younger, first-generation wealth creators. Advisors may need to tailor communication and service models to a growing female client base, as highlighted by a recent InvestLin report on 108 female advisors each managing over $100 million.
The pace of new wealth creation adds further texture. The number of centi-millionaires—those with fortunes above $100 million—has nearly doubled over the past decade to more than 117,000 in 2025, up from 60,000 in 2015, driven largely by the technology boom. This expansion is adding a younger, tech-derived layer of wealth even as the broader ultra-wealthy population continues to skew older. The resulting two-speed demographic profile means advisors must manage both the immediate needs of aging clients and the expectations of a new generation of wealth holders.
Portfolio composition data in the report points to what advisors may be managing through any transfer. The typical ultra-wealthy individual holds 63% of assets in publicly and privately owned business holdings, reflecting how often this group's members are founders, chief executives, or senior operating leaders rather than passive investors. Liquid assets such as cash and dividends make up close to 29% of the average portfolio, with real estate and luxury holdings accounting for under 10%. This concentration in illiquid business assets underscores the importance of succession planning and liquidity strategies, especially as the $124 trillion wealth transfer gains speed.
For advisors, the implications are clear: the next decade will see an unprecedented volume of assets changing hands, with a growing share controlled by women and a younger generation. Firms that invest in multigenerational planning, gender-inclusive service models, and expertise in illiquid asset management may be best positioned to capture this flow. As the endowment model approach gains traction, advisors who can navigate the complexities of concentrated holdings and family dynamics will likely see sustained growth.
