Nearly 60 Million Millionaires in the World Today — and Most Started Like You, as Small Business Owners

Did you know that in 2024 alone, over 379,000 people in the United States became millionaires? That's more than 1,000 new millionaires every single day — weekends included.

Most of them didn't win the lottery or inherit fortunes. Many started just like you: building something from the ground up. A side hustle, a consultancy, a creative business, a digital service, or a small store. A simple idea that grew — and with it, their personal wealth.

According to the Global Wealth Report 2025 by UBS, there are now close to 60 million millionaires around the world. And more than half of them fall into a growing category known as EMILLIs — short for Everyday Millionaires — with a net worth between $1 and $5 million. They're not celebrities or tech giants. They're people who took a chance on their business, put in the hours, and made it work.

This may sound like a big number. But if you look closely, it's proof that success is not reserved for the few. It's happening around you, quietly and consistently. You're not too small to make it. But as you build something meaningful, it's important to protect it, too.

Related: Coming by 2026: How the EU Digital Identity Wallet Will Impact Small Businesses – Inside and Outside the EU

Key findings from the report

 1. Over 1,000 new millionaires a day in the U.S. in 2024

• The U.S. added 379,000 new millionaires last year — that's more than 1,000 every single day.
• It may only be a 1.5% increase, but the scale is massive.
• China came in second with 141,000 new millionaires — around 386 per day.

 2. Nearly 60 million millionaires globally

• In total, the world now has close to 60 million people with at least one million dollars in net worth.
• Together, they hold around $226.47 trillion in assets.
• The U.S. leads the way, with 23.8 million millionaires, owning almost 35% of the world's personal wealth — more than Western Europe and Greater China combined.

 3. The rise of the EMILLI (Everyday Millionaire)

• There are now about 52 million EMILLIs worldwide — four times more than in 2000.
• This group alone holds $107 trillion in wealth.

4. Wealth growth is strongest in North America

• The U.S. saw nearly 12% growth in personal wealth in 2024, thanks to strong financial markets and a stable dollar.
• North America and Greater China are expected to lead global wealth growth through 2029.

5. Looking ahead: millions more millionaires coming

• UBS projects that another 5.34 million people will become millionaires by 2029.
• That's a 9% increase from 2024 levels.

Related: What Small Business Owners Wish They Knew Before Starting Out, According to a Survey

Thinking Like a Millionaire: Secure It Before You Scale

Millionaires think long-term. They don't just plan for profit — they protect their assets, their name, their time, and their peace of mind. That mindset starts before the first big break.

Too often, very small business owners wait until something goes wrong to think about cybersecurity. A phishing email tricks them into giving away access to their email. A fake invoice drains their PayPal account. A social media account gets hijacked and held for ransom. It's easy to assume you're not important enough to be targeted — but that's exactly what makes your business attractive to attackers.

So if you want to think like a millionaire, here's a good place to start: treat your business like it's already worth a million. Because one day, it might be.

Here are a few simple things you can do today:

• Use two-factor authentication on all your business accounts.
• Install trusted security software on all your devices.
• Change passwords or use a Password Manager.
• Be cautious with links, email attachments, and online ads offering "business tools" at low prices.
• Use a VPN when working remotely or using public Wi-Fi.
• Monitor your company's digital identity for breaches connected to your business email or domain.

Related: How to Start a Small Business with Cybersecurity in Mind: A Simple Step-by-Step Plan (with Printable Checklist)

Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security is built for businesses like yours. It protects you from scams, alerts you if your email or company data shows up in a breach, and helps stop phishing emails before they even reach your inbox.

Explore what Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security can do for your business — and try it free to see the difference.

The next five years are expected to bring over 5 million new millionaires worldwide. Could you be one of them? Absolutely. But don't just focus on growth — make sure you're securing your business along the way.