Learn to invest

HSBC UK
Wealth
Insight
Meet life goals
Your Money’s Worth: Defining Wealth in 2025

Key takeaways

Our findings show that the UK considers £213,000 as the personal income threshold for being wealthy.
Today’s affluent prioritise lifestyle, health and wellness over luxury goods, and investments have emerged as critical markers of wealth.
Our research shows that less than half of high earners feel they are on track to meet their financial goals.

A thought leadership report from HSBC UK

Is our definition of wealth evolving? This report offers an insightful snapshot of how we perceive our wealth and the psychology behind how we manage it.

Redefining wealth

In collaboration with a global market research firm, the HSBC UK Premier Wealth Report explores how people in the UK view their own wealth.

This report takes a closer look at our relationship with wealth, how we define affluence, and the perceptions and realities around wealth management today.

Download full report

Key findings

9 in 10 people earning over £100,000 don’t see themselves as wealthy

The report’s findings reveal a ‘wealth perception gap’, with those from every income bracket consistently underestimating their earnings compared to others. Our findings show that the UK considers £213,000 as the personal income threshold for being wealthy, and that even the majority of those earning at least £100,000 don’t identify as affluent.

9 in 10 people earning over £100,000 don’t see themselves as wealthy

Monthly spending of those earning £100,000 compared to the average consumer

Trends reveal that those earning at least £100,000 tend to allocate significantly more resources towards lifestyle and experiences. High earners also tend to have a savings account – the majority of HSBC UK Premier customers have one. Similarly, 55% of high earners have investments, compared to 16% of the general public.

However, the data reveals that high earners are still living payday to payday like the rest of the nation.

Whether you’re someone who can save £10 a month or £1,000, everyone can benefit from regular savings and investment habits.

Xian Chan, Head of Premier Wealth at HSBC UK

Top signifiers of wealth

The redefinition of wealth is another key insight from our research. Today’s affluent prioritise lifestyle, health and wellness over luxury goods, and investments have emerged as critical markers of wealth. This trend is especially pronounced among the young, who increasingly view lifestyle as ‘the new luxury’.

The switch to valuing non-material possessions often comes as people discover that the material didn’t buy them happiness…

Vicky Reynal

Common long-term goals for high earners

For those earning over £100,000, lifestyle features heavily among their financial goals. Our research shows that less than half of high earners feel they are on track to meet their financial goals, with immediate costs and insufficient savings cited as significant challenges.

The psychology of wealth

Concerns about money stem from primal fears of survival, while concerns about wealth stem from aspirations and social standing.

Vicky Reynal

This report’s findings underline the importance of open financial discussions, the value of seeking credible advice and the need for tailored financial strategies that align with personal values and goals. By exploring these themes, we aim to empower individuals wherever they are on their wealth journey, offering actionable insights that can help bridge the gap between perception and reality.

Your action plan

A regular savings habit is the best place to start if you’re just setting out on your wealth journey. Start early and consider which longer-term products might best help your money to grow over time.

Identify the best type of easy access or fixed term product that suits your need – allowing a balance between money that will be invested for the long term, and cash you can access at short notice.

Everyone can benefit from better wealth management tools. We offer a range of financial wellbeing support and tools to help you build and grow your wealth.

Explore more

Learn about investing

Discover ways we could help you make your money work harder.

Speak to a wealth specialist

Request a callback from a member of our team to discuss your goals.

We’re not trying to sell you any products or services, we’re just sharing information. This information isn’t tailored for you. It’s important you consider a range of factors when making investment decisions, and if you need help, speak to a financial adviser.

As with all investments, historical data shouldn’t be taken as an indication of future performance. We can’t be held responsible for any financial decisions you make because of this information. Investing comes with risks, and there’s a chance you might not get back as much as you put in.

This document provides you with information about markets or economic events. We use publicly available information, which we believe is reliable but we haven’t verified the information so we can’t guarantee its accuracy.

This document belongs to HSBC. You shouldn’t copy, store or share any information in it unless you have written permission from us.

We’ll never share this document in a country where it’s illegal. This document is prepared by, or on behalf of, HSBC UK Bank Plc, which is owned by HSBC Holdings plc. HSBC’s corporate address is 1 Centenary Square, Birmingham BI IHQ United Kingdom. HSBC UK is governed by the laws of England and Wales. We’re authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the PRA. Our firm reference number is 765112 and our company registration number is 9928412.

[Meet life goals] Your Money’s Worth: Defining Wealth in 2025

Key takeaways

A thought leadership report from HSBC UK

Redefining wealth

Key findings

The wealth perception gap

Spending, saving and investing patterns

Redefining wealth in 2025

Pathways to wealth

The psychology of wealth

Your action plan

1. Start early and think long term

2. Regularly review your savings and investments

3. Try different tools

4. Consider seeking financial advice

Explore more

Learn about investing

Speak to a wealth specialist

Disclaimer

Customer support