Average Net Worth in the UK by Age (2026 Data)
By Wealthvieu
·
Updated March 15, 2026
The average UK household has a total net worth of around £380,000 — but the median tells a very different story. Here’s how wealth is distributed across age groups.
Table of Contents
Based on ONS Wealth and Assets Survey data:
Age Group
Mean (Average) Net Worth
Median Net Worth
16–24
£30,000
£8,000
25–34
£115,000
£52,000
35–44
£295,000
£165,000
45–54
£485,000
£305,000
55–64
£625,000
£415,000
65–74
£590,000
£400,000
75+
£470,000
£310,000
All ages £380,000 £225,000
The mean is significantly higher than the median at every age — a sign that wealth is concentrated among the wealthiest households.
Net Worth Breakdown by Wealth Type
UK household wealth typically comes from four sources:
Age Group
Property Wealth
Pension WealthFinancial Wealth
Physical Wealth
16–24
£2,000
£5,000
£1,500
£21,500
25–34
£30,000
£28,000
£8,000
£49,000
35–44
£105,000
£85,000
£22,000
£83,000
45–54
£165,000
£175,000
£40,000
£105,000
55–64
£195,000
£250,000
£65,000
£115,000
65–74
£210,000
£200,000
£75,000
£105,000
75+
£195,000
£120,000
£65,000
£90,000
Pension wealth is the largest component for ages 45-64, while property wealth dominates for retirees who have drawn down their pensions.
Distribution of Net Worth
Net Worth Range
% of Households
Negative (in debt)
8%
£0 – £50,000
17%
£50,000 – £100,000
9%
£100,000 – £250,000
16%
£250,000 – £500,000
19%
£500,000 – £1,000,000
18%
£1,000,000 – £2,000,000
9%
Over £2,000,000
4%
Nearly 1 in 12 households has negative net worth, while about 13% are millionaires.
Net Worth Percentiles
Percentile
Net Worth
10th
£5,000
25th
£65,000
50th (Median)
£225,000
75th
£510,000
90th
£1,050,000
95th
£1,600,000
99th
£3,500,000
Property Wealth by Age
Homeownership has a dramatic impact on net worth:
Age Group
Homeowner Median Net Worth
Renter Median Net Worth
Gap
25–34
£135,000
£12,000
£123,000
35–44
£320,000
£25,000
£295,000
45–54
£510,000
£35,000
£475,000
55–64
£600,000
£55,000
£545,000
65+
£550,000
£50,000
£500,000
Homeowners have roughly 10x the net worth of renters at most age groups.
Net Worth by Region
Region
Median Household Net Worth
South East
£375,000
London
£325,000
South West
£310,000
East of England
£305,000
East Midlands
£235,000
West Midlands
£200,000
Yorkshire & Humber
£190,000
North West
£185,000
Scotland
£180,000
Wales
£175,000
North East
£145,000
Northern Ireland
£170,000
The South East has more than 2.5x the median net worth of the North East.
Net Worth by Income Quintile
Income Quintile
Median Net Worth
Bottom 20%
£35,000
2nd quintile
£120,000
3rd quintile
£230,000
4th quintile
£390,000
Top 20%
£750,000
How to Build Net Worth at Any Age
In Your 20s
Action
Impact
Start workplace pension
Free employer match (typically 3-5%)
Open a Lifetime ISA
£1,000/year government bonus toward first home
Build emergency fund
3-6 months expenses in savings
Avoid high-interest debt
Credit card debt averages 20%+ APR
In Your 30s-40s
Action
Impact
Maximise pension contributions
Tax relief at your marginal rate
Get on the property ladder
Single biggest wealth builder for most Brits
Fill ISA allowance
£20,000/year in tax-free investments
Pay down mortgage
Each £100/month overpayment saves thousands in interest
In Your 50s-60s
Action
Impact
Pension catch-up
Maximum £60,000/year contribution
Inheritance tax planningProtect wealth for next generation
Review asset allocation
Gradually reduce investment risk
Consider downsizing
Release property equity if needed
Key Takeaways
Median UK household net worth is ~£225,000 — but this varies enormously by age and regionPeak net worth is in the 55-64 age group at around £415,000 medianPension wealth is the largest component for most working-age householdsHomeowners have ~10x the net worth of renters at the same ageThe South East has 2.5x the median of the North East13% of households are millionaires , while 8% have negative net worthStarting a pension early is the single most impactful wealth-building action
