8.3 mln millionaires worldwide, 2.7 mln in North America

The world's high-net-worth wealth grew strongly in 2004 for a second consecutive year, increasing 8.2% to $30.8 trillion, according to the 2005 World Wealth Report by Merrill Lynch and Capgemini. The number of high-net-worth individuals with a net worth of at least $1 mln (excluding their primary residence) grew by 7.3% to 8.3 mln, a net increase of 600,000 worldwide. North America led with a nearly 10% growth rate to 2.7 mln, surpassing the 2.6 mln in Europe. Asia-Pacific's growth rate of over 8% - to 2.3 mln high net worth individuals - was twice that of Europe.