The average net worth of private households in Germany is 232,800 euros, according to a study by the Deutsche Bundesbank. However, the median net worth is significantly lower due to the unequal distribution of wealth. The study, which is conducted every three years, examines the financial situation of households in Germany, including assets such as real estate, bank deposits, vehicles, and private pension and life insurance claims. Debts such as mortgages or loans are deducted from the total. The last study in 2017 found that the median net worth of Germans was 70,800 euros, with the top 10% of households owning a net worth of at least 555,400 euros. The large difference between the average and median net worth indicates that wealth in Germany is unevenly distributed.
The German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) has also conducted a study on individual net worth in Germany, finding that the average net worth of an individual was 108,449 euros in 2017. The top 10% of individuals owned a net worth of over 275,000 euros, while the median net worth was significantly lower at 26,260 euros. The DIW also confirmed that wealth in Germany is unevenly distributed. However, the study found that individuals were able to increase their net worth by an average of 22% between 2012 and 2017, with almost all income groups benefiting from this increase.
The Household Finance and Consumption Survey (HFCS) conducted by the European Central Bank (ECB) and the national banks of the euro area also examines household net worth to enable cross-border comparisons. In 2017, households in the euro area had an average net worth of 229,100 euros, with a median net worth of 99,000 euros. The Global Wealth Report by Credit Suisse also regularly examines household net worth, finding that during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, household net worth increased in most countries despite economic challenges. In Germany, households were able to increase their net worth by an average of 40,450 US dollars. The net worth of an adult in Germany was on average 268,000 US dollars, with a median net worth of 65,374 US dollars. The report also found that there were approximately 2.95 million dollar millionaires in Germany in 2021, representing 4.3% of the total population.
