Wealth is about more than money
Wealth has long been associated with financial abundance and material possessions – but this is changing.
To dig deeper into how these perceptions are evolving, we surveyed more than 2,000 UK adults in our inaugural Your Money’s Worth: Defining Wealth in 2025 report.
The findings tell us that the meaning of wealth is being redefined. It’s less about money these days.
In many ways. the modern understanding of wealth is returning to its etymological, Old English roots of ‘well’ – the same root as ‘wellbeing’, ‘welfare’ and ‘wellness’.
Redefining wealth
As societal values shift, so too do the markers of affluence. In the 17th Century, owning a single pineapple was the ultimate measure of wealth, costing a hefty £60, which converts to around £11,000 today.
Today, perceptions of wealth are increasingly shifting away from associations with income or material possessions. Today’s affluent prioritise lifestyle, health and wellness, with education, self-improvement and strong relationships among the top signifiers of wealth, according to our research.
This trend towards post-material wealth is particularly pronounced among younger demographics. According to our research, almost half (49%) of Gen Z see wealth as best understood in non-material terms, with one third believing that having a strong work-life balance signifies that you’re wealthy.
While there of course remains a strong desire for financial security and stability, lifestyle choices are clearly becoming more central to wealth perception.
Wealth careers
At HSBC, we have a bold ambition to become a leading wealth provider in the UK.
To get there, we’re building trusted relationships with even more of our customers and to help us do this we’re hiring more Wealth Managers.
We’re looking for talented and motivated Wealth Managers to help our customers plan for their financial futures, providing them with the tools and support they need to define and achieve their wealth aspirations – whatever they might be.
Your Money’s Worth: Defining Wealth in 2025
Find out more about how people perceive wealth and the psychology behind how it is managed.
Careers in wealth
Watch our film to out more about how our Wealth Relationship Managers in Asia spend their days.