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About Insights

Based on global research with over 600 mass affluent, high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals and the views of a panel of wealth experts, drawn from academia, industry and financial circles, each Insights report paints a picture of the private world of this influential group, by analysing their shifting demographic profile, priorities and preferences.

By uncovering the complex social and psychological dynamics - including gender, family and social interactions - that define the behaviour and outlook of the wealthy, our reports also aim to provide a compelling snapshot of the deeper trends that shape the future of society at large.

Previous volumes

6 June 2011

Volume 13: Risk and Rules: The Role Of Control in Financial Decision Making

This report looks at people and personalities and how they influence financial decision making. It also explores the strategies people use to manage their behaviour when making investment decisions.

27 September 2010

Volume 12: The Age Illusion

This report investigates why many wealthy individuals don't want to retire fully, even if they have little financial need to keep working. We look at how these "Nevertirees" should plan for the future, and the changing attitudes towards them.

Additional Media

14 May 2010

Volume 11: The Changing Wealth of Nations

In this report we examine the impact of the global downturn on wealthy individuals, their views about global economic prospects, and their attitudes to investment – both at an overall level, and also as regards individual asset classes.

22 October 2009

Volume 10: Investor Perceptions of Property

In the aftermath of a financial crisis that was at least partly caused by a housing market crash, we ask high net worth individuals and property experts to assess the prospects for the global residential and commercial property markets.

15 June 2009

Volume 9: New Horizon, New Behaviour

After a long, dark winter in the global economy, the arrival of the new year brought scattered sightings of green shoots.

2 March 2009

Volume 8: Family Business: In Safe Hands?

Family businesses are the backbone of the global economy. In Volume 8 of Wealth Insights, we examine the structure, motivations and characteristics of family businesses around the world, within the context of a challenging economic environment.

2 December 2008

Volume 7: The Entrepreneur in Adversity

Over the past decade, entrepreneurs have become increasingly important – and visible – players in the global economy.

1 September 2008

Volume 6: Breaking the Mould: A Question of Personality

In this report we examine the choices that wealthy investors make, especially during periods of volatility, and explore the characteristics that determine why they make those choices.

5 May 2008

Volume 5: Evolving Fortunes

While the US remains at the top of the Index, a number of the emerging markets will perform strongly over the next 10 years.

10 December 2007

Volume 4: The True Value of Wealth

Written by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) on behalf of Barclays, this fourth volume of Insights examines what it means to be wealthy today.

2 November 2007

Volume 3: Risk, Return and Reward

The third volume of Insights, focuses on how wealthy individuals consider ‘Risk, Return and Reward’ throughout their lives and the role that each plays in their approach to investment and planning their legacy.

4 October 2007

Volume 2: A Question of Gender

From luxury goods manufacturers to private banks, the commercial world is starting to sit up and take notice of women’s growing spending power, and is now redoubling its efforts to tap into this money-spinning market.

6 September 2007

Volume 1: The Future of Wealth – 2006 to 2016

The first Insight report charts the growth in different categories of wealth within G7 countries, and measures the quality or attractiveness of the business environment in individual countries around the world.

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Latest volume

Volume 14: The Transfer of Trust: Wealth and Succession in a Changing World

The fourteenth volume of the Insights series looks at succession and planning for the next generation, and how people around the world pass on their assets, and their aspirations to the next generation.

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White papers

Enjoy reading our white papers

19 September 2011

Early Interventions: An Economic Approach to Charitable Giving

New Philanthropy Capital

29 November 2010

Global Giving: The Culture of Philanthropy

Barclays in association with Ledbury Research

2 November 2009

Philanthropology: The Evolution of Giving

Barclays in association with Ledbury Research

8 April 2010

Philanthropy: Barriers to Giving

Barclays in association with Ledbury Research

3 September 2007

The changing face of philanthropy: today, tomorrow and beyond

Barclays in partnership with the Economist Intelligence Unit and Ledbury Research

3 September 2007

The Rise of the 'Instividual'

Barclays in partnership with the Economist Intelligence Unit and Ledbury Research

13 July 2009

Tomorrow's Philanthropist

Barclays in association with Ledbury Research

2 March 2007

UK Landscape of Wealth

Barclays in partnership with the Economist Intelligence Unit and Ledbury Research

21 March 2011

UK Wealth Map

Barclays in association with Ledbury Research