South Africa is creating relatively more millionaires than anywhere else in the world. Although the total number of high-net-worth individuals in South Africa is only a fraction of the numbers in the other BRICS, the rate of increase in the number of millionaires in South Africa is the highest in the world. Interestingly, since 2007, the number of black millionaires has almost doubled and growth is around 80%. Tom Nevin has the details.
South Africa is the world’s leader when it comes to making millionaires, relatively speaking. The continent’s southern tip recently flaunted its latest clutch of the fabulously rich in the pages of New World Wealth (NWW), which reveal the globe’s wealthiest millionaires, billionaires and multiples thereof. The latest NWW research shows that South Africa is home to 49,000 dollar millionaires, 300 more than in 2013.
Africa as a whole is home to around 100,000 greenback millionaires and wealthier, an increase of 7.4% over last year. NWW also expects the number of Nigerian millionaires to climb by 47% in the next four years.
While figures dating back 10 years show that white millionaires in South Africa easily outnumbered their black counterparts back then, the gap is closing and should see parity in about 15 years from now. According to the mass circulation Sunday tabloid, City Press, the number of South Africa’s millionaires has grown by 106% over the past decade and multimillionaires by 102%.
This easily beats global performance. Over the past 10 years, the number of multimillionaires worldwide increased by 71%, while millionaire numbers rose by 58% in the same period.
This puts South Africa at 0.4% of the total number of millionaires globally, around 13m, reports NWW, adding that 2,060 South Africans are multimillionaires. That, however, is just for starters. The total number of millionaires in the country will probably top 86,700 by 2030.
The difference between wealth and income
To the lay mind, wealth and income often mean more or less the same thing. For economists, the terms are distinct,” says the introduction to the NWW survey.
“Wealth is the sum of all your assets less your liabilities and is a stock concept. Income is a flow and refers to what you receive in a given period, say a year. They are related, because income less consumption is an addition to wealth and wealth creates an entitlement to income in the form of interest, dividends, property rentals and the like, which form a component of income, alongside earnings and transfers (such as social grants).”
NWW reports that “These individuals have a combined wealth of $200bn – up 14% from $168bn in 2007 – and account for 31% of the country’s total individual wealth of $650bn. With South Africa’s population sitting just under 51.2m (2012), this means that 0.1% of the population owns approximately 31% of the country’s total individual wealth. Growth in the wealth of HNWIs is linked to a number of factors – including the country’s GDP, the local real estate market and the local equity market.”
NWW goes on to say that 7,800 of South Africa’s HNWIs are from previously disadvantaged groups, which equates to 16% of South Africa’s total HNWI population.
The report also showed that a majority of South Africa’s HWNIs (23,400 – or 48%) live in Johannesburg, followed by Cape Town (9,000) and Durban (2,700).
Over the four year forecast period, the number of South Africa’s HNWIs is expected to grow by 28%, to reach over 62,400 in 2017.
HNWI wealth will see a larger percentage increase, growing by 30% to reach $259bn in 2017, New World Wealth says.
Key findings in the NWW report:
• South African HNWIs outperformed the worldwide HNWI average during the review period (2007 to 2013), with South African HNWI numbers increasing by 14% whilst worldwide HNWI volumes declined by 0.3%.
• The rise in US dollar-based HNWI wealth occurred despite a significant 30% depreciation of the rand currency against the US dollar during the review period.
• HNWI growth was positively influenced by a rise in new business formation, particularly in the BEE arena, as well as solid local stock exchange returns and rising commodity prices.
• Growth in HNWI wealth and volumes will be solid over the forecast period as more new businesses are developed within the country.
Zambia • At the end of 2013, there were approximately 900 HNWIs in Zambia, with a combined wealth of $4.4bn. • The average age of HNWIs in Zambia is 59, above the worldwide average of 56. • The majority of local HNWIs, 29%, are aged between 61 and 70. • At the end of 2013, Zambian HNWIs held 31% ($1.3bn) of their wealth abroad compared to 45% in 2007. Angola • At the end of 2013, there were approximately 6,400 HNWIs in Angola, with a combined wealth of $30bn, accounting for roughly 45% of Angola’s total individual wealth. • Angola is one of the fastest growing wealth markets in the world with HNWI numbers rising by 68% since 2007 and by over 400% since 2000. • Females accounted for only 7% of Angolan HNWIs in 2013. This is relatively low compared to the worldwide average of over 20%. • At the end of 2013, real estate was the largest asset class for HNWIs in Angola (34% of total HNWI assets), followed by business interests (21%), equities (19.3%), cash and bonds (18.7%) and alternatives (6.9%). Ghana • At the end of 2012 there were 800 HNWIs in Accra. • Ghana is one of the fastest growing wealth markets in Africa with HNWI numbers rising by 56% between 2007 and 2013 and by over 400% since 2000. • At the end of 2013, Ghanaian HNWIs held 24% ($2.4bn) of their wealth abroad compared to 36% in 2007. • Financial services is the primary source of wealth for 24% of HNWIs. Kenya • In 2013, there were approximately 8,300 HNWIs in Kenya, with a combined wealth of $31bn, accounting for roughly 62% of Kenya’s total individual wealth ($50bn). • Kenya has the fourth highest number of HNWIs in Africa after South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria. • Kenyan HNWIs outperformed the worldwide HNWI average during the review period, with Kenyan HNWI numbers increasing by 24% whilst worldwide HNWI volumes declined by 0.3%. • HNWI growth was positively influenced by rising commodity prices and business growth, particularly in the construction and real estate, telecoms, banking and transport and logistics sectors. Nigeria • In 2013, there were 15,700 HNWIs in Nigeria, with a combined wealth of $82bn, accounting for roughly 36% of Nigeria’s total individual wealth ($227bn). • Nigeria has the third highest number of HNWIs in Africa. • Nigerian HNWIs outperformed the worldwide HNWI average during the review period, with Nigerian HNWI numbers increasing by 44% whilst worldwide HNWI volumes declined by 0.3%. • HNWI growth was influenced by rising commodity prices and an increase in new business formation, particularly in telecoms sector. Source: New World Wealth *Source africanbusiness .Tom Nevin is a South African journalist, researcher and author and contributes to a selection of publications in South Africa and abroad. He is associate editor of London-based African Business and editor of Business Word Botswana. He is leading a programme that actively promotes small and micro power projects as a first step in encouraging the economic upliftment of the continent rural poor.]]>
Excellent story and excellent progress that needs to be repeated world wide within the African diaspora.