More than 713,000 UHNWIs worldwide according to Knight Frank, luxury that favours experience, family offices professionalising, health and discretion at the forefront: a review of 2026 and what it signals for 2027.
Lifestyle · Review · 2026
In short: 2026 was the year great fortunes kept growing while luxury goods slowed. Clients favoured time, health, discretion and rare experiences, and put more structure into managing their private lives. Here are the trends we take away, supported by the major studies of the year.
1. More great fortunes, distributed differently
According to Knight Frank’s Wealth Report 2026, the number of people with at least US$30m rose from 551,435 in 2021 to 713,626 in 2026. They are spread between North America (37%), Asia-Pacific (31%) and Europe (25%). For a European private concierge, this means more international clients who move between continents and expect the same standard everywhere.
2. Luxury slows, experience grows
Bain-Altagamma sized the personal luxury goods market at €358bn in 2025, down 2%, and forecast a modest recovery in 2026. In October LVMH reported 1% organic growth in Q3, with fashion down and jewellery up. Meanwhile experiences are growing faster than goods. Our detailed reading: the luxury slowdown.
3. More structured family offices
Knight Frank refers to around 10,000 family offices professionalising. The requests we receive point the same way: clear governance, adviser coordination, data security, organising daily life across several generations. That is the purpose of our family office support.
4. Health and wellbeing at the centre
Knight Frank describes a “transformation economy” driven by wellbeing and experiences. Health check-ups, access to specialists, restorative retreats, support while travelling: health is becoming a core part of an organised private life, which we handle through our medical concierge.
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Request a confidential consultation5. Mobility is measured differently
Henley’s 2026 Private Wealth Migration Report introduced a new twelve-dimension framework in which tax weighs 18% and rule of law and quality of life 16% each. Henley itself notes that these flows are hard to measure. The key idea: people choose where to live for a range of reasons, not just tax.
6. The Alps and Switzerland, winter havens
Courchevel, Megève, Gstaad and St. Moritz drew a large share of winter requests, with a clear preference for private chalets over hotels. Our guide: Christmas and New Year in a private chalet.
7. Discretion as the first luxury
Less exposure on social media, more private appointments, household teams trained in confidentiality: discretion is no longer an option, it is the starting point of every assignment.
8. Companies buy experience too
Client invitations, executive hosting, year-end gifts: companies seek the same standard as families, within a strict compliance framework. See our article on corporate year-end gifts and our corporate concierge.
What we expect from 2027
A very dense events season, from Lunar New Year to the Monaco Grand Prix and its first Sprint, clients planning earlier, and growing demand for wealth and family organisation. To start: planning the 2027 season and what to settle before 31 December.
Frequently asked questions
How many UHNWIs are there worldwide in 2026?
According to Knight Frank’s Wealth Report 2026, 713,626 people hold at least US$30m, up from 551,435 in 2021.
What were the main UHNWI trends of 2026?
Experiences over goods, health and wellbeing, the professionalisation of family offices, discretion and international mobility chosen for multiple reasons.
Did the luxury market decline in 2026?
Bain-Altagamma measured a 2% decline in 2025 and forecast modest growth in 2026. LVMH reported 1% organic growth in Q3 2026.
What does AC PRIVATE - A List concierge offer?
A private concierge for families and family offices, a corporate concierge and a medical concierge, in France and internationally.
How do I contact you?
Via the contact page or at [email protected]. Reply within 24 hours.
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Alexandre Emmelin
Founder, AC PRIVATE - A List concierge
Alsatian entrepreneur, Alexandre founded AC PRIVATE - A List concierge with one conviction: true luxury is reclaimed time. He personally leads the most sensitive missions and writes a monthly editorial sharing his vision of exceptional concierge service.
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