Despite prevailing geopolitical uncertainty and economic volatility, the Art Basel and UBS Survey of Global Collecting 2025 highlights a community of collectors that is younger, more diverse, and increasingly confident in shaping the future of cultural value.
Authored by Dr. Clare McAndrew, founder of Arts Economics, it reveals fresh insights into the evolving behaviors and motivations of collectors around the world.
Survey highlights
- 1
20% of wealth on average allocated to art in 2025
up from 15% in 2024; ultra high net worth collectors with over $50 million in assets averaged 28%
- 2
$438,990 average spending in 2024 across an average of 14 works
10% spent over $500,000 and 7% spent over $1 million in 2024, with similar levels in the first half of 2025
- 3
78% purchased a work of fine art in 2024 and 74% in the first half of 2025
paintings remained the most-purchased medium and the largest by value
- 4
56% of Gen Z respondents had the highest share of spending on collectibles in 2025
with the highest averages in luxury collectible handbags; collectible sneakers (almost five times the level of any other generational group); classic cars, boats, and jets; and sports assets
- 5
46% of women collectors surveyed spent more than men on average in 2024
and 55% frequently bought works by unknown artists, versus 44% of men
Art Basel and UBS Survey of Global Collecting 2025
Gain more insights
Download the Art Basel and UBS Survey of Global Collecting 2025 and reach out to a UBS Financial Advisor about how UBS can help you build, manage and transfer an art collection as part of your overall wealth and legacy.