Key Takeaways
- • Norway's Government Pension Fund is the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world, holding more than $1.1 trillion as of January 2021, according to data from the SWF Institute.
- • China Investment Corporation ranks second with just over $1 trillion in assets under management, a similar scale to Norway's fund.
- • The remaining funds in the top eight hold between $370 billion and $580 billion each, and are concentrated in Asia and the Arab world, including Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
- • Norway's fund was created to invest fossil fuel revenues in more sustainable sectors, and the government may draw up to 3% of its value annually for social purposes, currently up to about $33 billion.
Summary
The Norwegian Government Pension Fund is the largest sovereign wealth fund globally, with more than $1.1 trillion in assets as of January 2021, according to data from the SWF Institute cited by the World Economic Forum. Most of the fund's holdings are in stocks, bonds and real estate.
China Investment Corporation is the second-largest, managing just above $1 trillion, a figure close to Norway's. Norway and China lead the ranking by a considerable margin over the rest of the field.
The other funds in the top eight are significantly smaller, with assets ranging from $370 billion to $580 billion. Most of these funds are based in Asia and the Arab world, including Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
Norway's fund was established to invest government revenues from the country's fossil fuel industries into sectors considered more sustainable, preparing for a future in which Norway can no longer rely on oil income. The Norwegian government may use up to 3% of the fund's value each year for social purposes, a figure that currently equates to up to $33 billion.
China Investment Corporation is the second-largest, managing just above $1 trillion, a figure close to Norway's. Norway and China lead the ranking by a considerable margin over the rest of the field.
The other funds in the top eight are significantly smaller, with assets ranging from $370 billion to $580 billion. Most of these funds are based in Asia and the Arab world, including Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
Norway's fund was established to invest government revenues from the country's fossil fuel industries into sectors considered more sustainable, preparing for a future in which Norway can no longer rely on oil income. The Norwegian government may use up to 3% of the fund's value each year for social purposes, a figure that currently equates to up to $33 billion.
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