NEW DELHI — India’s high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are expected to invest 22-25% of their wealth in prime residential properties, with most holdings concentrated within the country, according to Knight Frank India’s Wealth Report 2025, as published by Hindustan Times.
Vivek Rathi, National Director of Research at Knight Frank India, shared insights during the report’s launch, stating that cities such as Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, and Chennai are key destinations for these investments. He noted that while many wealthy individuals purchase real estate for personal use, others do so to preserve capital or generate rental income. Capital preservation refers to an investment strategy that prioritizes safeguarding the original capital rather than seeking high returns.
Knight Frank’s Next Gen Survey – India, which examined individuals aged 18 to 35 earning more than ₹1 crore annually, found that 89% prefer owning property over renting. Additionally, 65% intend to upgrade their residences within the next year.
The survey also revealed that 47% of these affluent young individuals prioritize investments in luxury automobiles, while 28% prefer real estate in high-end properties. Real estate ranks as their second most favored investment avenue, comprising 21% of their priority allocations, behind stocks at 23%.
The report highlighted that the number of HNWIs in India grew by 6% in 2024, reaching 85,698 from 80,686 the previous year. The billionaire count rose to 191, with 26 new additions, marking a 12% annual increase. By 2028, the number of HNWIs is projected to climb to 93,753.
India now ranks fourth globally in terms of wealthy individuals, accounting for 3.7% of the world’s HNWI population. The United States leads with 905,413 HNWIs, followed by China with 471,634 and Japan with 122,119.
While most Indian HNWIs focus their real estate investments domestically, some are expanding their portfolios internationally. Shishir Baijal, chairman and managing director of Knight Frank India, noted that the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom are among the most preferred destinations for overseas investments.
According to the report, India’s billionaires collectively possess approximately $950 billion in assets, ranking the country third globally in total billionaire wealth. The United States leads with $5.7 trillion, followed by Mainland China with $1.34 trillion.
The report also emphasized that India’s billionaire population has expanded significantly, with 26 new entrants in 2024, compared to just seven in 2019. This reflects the country’s rapid economic growth and increasing affluence among its ultra-rich individuals.
Knight Frank’s findings underscore India’s growing affluence and the increasing preference for real estate as a key investment choice among the country’s ultra-rich and younger wealthy individuals.