"Am I doing okay for my age?" is one of the most searched personal-finance questions in the UK, and net worth is the honest way to answer it. Income tells you what you earn; net worth tells you what you have actually built. This guide sets out the average (and, more usefully, the median) net worth for each UK age group, explains what counts as a good net worth for your age, and shows how to work out and grow your own.
The figures below are estimates in the style of the ONS Wealth and Assets Survey and cover total household wealth including private pensions and property equity. Two numbers matter: the median (the midpoint, where half of households sit above and half below) and the mean (the simple average, which is pulled sharply upward by the wealthiest households). For judging whether you are typical, always use the median.
| Age Group | Median Net Worth | Mean Net Worth | Main Asset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | £26,000 | £68,000 | Savings / vehicle |
| 35–44 | £98,000 | £182,000 | Property equity |
| 45–54 | £178,000 | £327,000 | Property + pension |
| 55–64 | £314,000 | £517,000 | Pension + property |
| 65–74 | £395,000 | £617,000 | Property + pension |
| 75+ | £348,000 | £541,000 | Property |
Notice how far the mean sits above the median in every band · that gap is the fingerprint of wealth inequality. If a headline says "the average Briton has £500,000," it is almost always quoting the mean; the typical household has far less.
Add up your assets and debts, then see your exact percentile for your age band.
Calculate My Net Worth Check My PercentileNet worth is simply everything you own minus everything you owe:
The single most forgotten asset is the pension. Pension wealth makes up roughly 40% of total UK household wealth · more than property · yet most people leave it out when they guess their net worth, which is why their guess is usually far too low. If you have a workplace pension, request its current value and include it.
In your 20s and early 30s, net worth is often low or even negative · student loans, minimal savings and no property are the norm. A median of around £26,000 for under-35s is dominated by cash savings and a car. Simply reaching a positive, growing figure is the win here.
In your late 30s and 40s, property ownership becomes the biggest driver. As mortgage balances fall and house prices rise, equity builds quickly, which is why the median jumps to roughly £98,000 (35–44) then £178,000 (45–54). Pension contributions compounding over 15+ years start to add up meaningfully too.
In your 50s and early 60s, pensions take over as the dominant asset. With the mortgage often cleared and decades of contributions compounding, the median rises to around £314,000. This is the decade where net worth typically grows fastest.
In retirement (65+), net worth peaks and then gently declines as people draw down pensions and, sometimes, downsize. Property remains the largest single asset for most retired households.
There are two useful benchmarks:
Treat both as rough guides, not verdicts. Someone renting in London on a high salary may have less net worth than a lower earner who bought a house up north a decade ago · and that does not make them worse with money. Context beats any single number.
Add your assets and debts for a full breakdown, then benchmark it against your age band.
Calculate My Net Worth Check My PercentileUK median household net worth is roughly £300,000 including private pensions and property, but it varies dramatically by age · around £26,000 for under-35s rising to about £395,000 at 65–74 (median, ONS Wealth and Assets Survey estimates). The mean is much higher because a small number of very wealthy households pull the average up, so the median is the fairer comparison.
Beating the median for your age band means you are ahead of the typical UK household. As a salary-multiple guide, aim for about 1× salary by 30, 3× by 40, 6× by 50 and 8–10× by retirement. Both are guides · your housing situation, dependants and location matter more than any single figure.
The mean is skewed upward by a small number of very wealthy households, so it sits above the median (the true midpoint). For a realistic comparison to a typical household, use the median every time.
Everything you own minus everything you owe. Assets: property equity, pensions (about 40% of UK wealth and the most-forgotten asset), savings, ISAs, investments and vehicles. Liabilities: mortgage, loans, car finance, credit cards and overdrafts. Our net worth calculator totals it for you.
For informational purposes only · Not financial advice · Net worth figures are estimates in the style of the ONS Wealth and Assets Survey and vary over time · Always verify current data and consider your own circumstances