Market overview
The global private equity market is worth USD 128 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 265 bn by 2036, growing at a 7.5% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Buyout is the largest by strategy segment.
| Scope | Management fees and performance fees (carried interest) earned by private equity firms on buyout, growth equity and related funds worldwide. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Services and Utilities |
| Value 2025 | USD 120 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 128 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 265 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 7.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 9,582 USD billion assets under management |
| Volume 2036 | 18,788 USD billion assets under management |
| Average price 2026 | USD 13,400,000 per USD billion assets under management |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Private Equity market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 128 bn |
| 2027 | USD 138 bn |
| 2028 | USD 148 bn |
| 2029 | USD 160 bn |
| 2030 | USD 171 bn |
| 2031 | USD 184 bn |
| 2032 | USD 198 bn |
| 2033 | USD 213 bn |
| 2034 | USD 229 bn |
| 2035 | USD 246 bn |
| 2036 | USD 265 bn |
Private Equity market segmentation
By strategy
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buyout | 50.0% | 46.3% | USD 64.2 bn | 6.7% |
| Growth equity | 15.0% | 15.2% | USD 19.3 bn | 7.7% |
| Secondaries | 10.0% | 13.4% | USD 12.8 bn | 10.7% |
| Infrastructure and real assets equity | 15.0% | 16.7% | USD 19.3 bn | 8.7% |
| Other private equity | 10.0% | 8.4% | USD 12.8 bn | 5.7% |
By revenue type
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management fees | 58.0% | 55.2% | USD 74.5 bn | 7.0% |
| Performance fees | 34.0% | 37.2% | USD 43.7 bn | 8.5% |
| Transaction and advisory fees | 8.0% | 7.6% | USD 10.3 bn | 7.0% |
By investor type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pension funds | 34.0% | 33.0% | USD 43.7 bn | 7.2% |
| Sovereign wealth funds | 12.0% | 14.0% | USD 15.4 bn | 9.2% |
| Insurance companies | 14.0% | 13.0% | USD 18.0 bn | 6.7% |
| Family offices and wealthy individuals | 20.0% | 21.0% | USD 25.7 bn | 8.0% |
| Endowments and foundations | 10.0% | 9.0% | USD 12.8 bn | 6.4% |
| Other investors | 10.0% | 10.0% | USD 12.8 bn | 7.5% |
By fund size
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (under USD 1 billion) | 12.0% | 11.0% | USD 15.4 bn | 6.6% |
| Mid-market (USD 1 to 5 billion) | 28.0% | 26.0% | USD 36.0 bn | 6.7% |
| Large (USD 5 to 15 billion) | 30.0% | 30.0% | USD 38.5 bn | 7.5% |
| Mega (above USD 15 billion) | 30.0% | 33.0% | USD 38.5 bn | 8.5% |
By portfolio sector
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | 28.0% | 31.0% | USD 36.0 bn | 8.6% |
| Healthcare | 18.0% | 19.0% | USD 23.1 bn | 8.1% |
| Industrials | 20.0% | 17.0% | USD 25.7 bn | 5.8% |
| Consumer and retail | 16.0% | 15.0% | USD 20.5 bn | 6.8% |
| Financial and business services | 18.0% | 18.0% | USD 23.1 bn | 7.5% |
Top 25 countries for private equity by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 85.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 96.2%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | USD 57.8 bn | 45.0% | USD 117 bn | 7.3% |
| 2 | United Kingdom | USD 11.6 bn | 9.0% | USD 22.2 bn | 6.8% |
| 3 | China | USD 7.7 bn | 6.0% | USD 14.3 bn | 6.4% |
| 4 | France | USD 6.4 bn | 5.0% | USD 13.0 bn | 7.3% |
| 5 | Germany | USD 5.8 bn | 4.5% | USD 11.1 bn | 6.8% |
| 6 | Canada | USD 5.1 bn | 4.0% | USD 10.3 bn | 7.2% |
| 7 | India | USD 3.9 bn | 3.0% | USD 12.2 bn | 12.2% |
| 8 | Australia | USD 3.9 bn | 3.0% | USD 8.5 bn | 8.2% |
| 9 | Singapore | USD 3.9 bn | 3.0% | USD 9.3 bn | 9.2% |
| 10 | Switzerland | USD 3.9 bn | 3.0% | USD 7.4 bn | 6.8% |
| 11 | Japan | USD 2.3 bn | 1.8% | USD 4.8 bn | 7.7% |
| 12 | Netherlands | USD 1.6 bn | 1.2% | USD 3.3 bn | 7.7% |
| 13 | Sweden | USD 1.3 bn | 1.0% | USD 2.7 bn | 7.7% |
| 14 | South Korea | USD 1.1 bn | 0.8% | USD 2.3 bn | 7.8% |
| 15 | Italy | USD 950 mn | 0.7% | USD 2.0 bn | 7.6% |
| 16 | Spain | USD 860 mn | 0.7% | USD 1.8 bn | 7.7% |
| 17 | Brazil | USD 796 mn | 0.6% | USD 1.8 bn | 8.7% |
| 18 | Hong Kong | USD 732 mn | 0.6% | USD 1.5 bn | 7.7% |
| 19 | Ireland | USD 693 mn | 0.5% | USD 1.5 bn | 7.7% |
| 20 | Denmark | USD 655 mn | 0.5% | USD 1.4 bn | 7.7% |
| 21 | Luxembourg | USD 616 mn | 0.5% | USD 1.3 bn | 7.7% |
| 22 | Norway | USD 591 mn | 0.5% | USD 1.2 bn | 7.7% |
| 23 | Finland | USD 565 mn | 0.4% | USD 1.2 bn | 7.7% |
| 24 | United Arab Emirates | USD 539 mn | 0.4% | USD 1.2 bn | 8.7% |
| 25 | Israel | USD 526 mn | 0.4% | USD 1.1 bn | 7.8% |
| Rest of world | USD 4.9 bn | 3.8% | USD 10.5 bn | 8.1% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Blackstone
- KKR
- Apollo Global Management
- Carlyle Group
- EQT
- CVC Capital Partners
- Brookfield Asset Management
- Ardian
- Partners Group
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- TPG
- Bain Capital
- Advent International
- Permira
- Warburg Pincus
- Cinven
- Silver Lake
- Hellman & Friedman
- General Atlantic
- Leonard Green & Partners
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Hg
- Clearlake Capital
- Vista Equity Partners
- Thoma Bravo
- Francisco Partners
- Platinum Equity
- Genstar Capital
- Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the private equity market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 7.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by strategy, by revenue type, by investor type, by fund size, by portfolio sector. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the private equity market?
The global private equity market is estimated at USD 120 bn in 2025 and USD 128 bn in 2026.
How fast will the private equity market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 265 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 7.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 136 bn.
Which country is the largest market for private equity?
United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 57.8 bn in 2026, 45.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 60.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 12.2% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which private equity segment is largest?
In the by strategy split, Buyout is the largest segment with 50.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading private equity companies?
Global leaders include Blackstone, KKR, Apollo Global Management, Carlyle Group.
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