The global art market is witnessing a shift in buyer profile as Gen Z increasingly asserts its influence among wealthy collectors. According to the Global Collecting 2026 report by Art Basel and UBS, released earlier this week, the average spending on art by Gen Z collectors with net worth is double that of older generations. This generation also leads in total spending on fine art in 2025 and the first half of 2026.
This trend is occurring as the global art market begins to recover after two consecutive years of decline. Sales in 2025 are projected to increase by 4% year-on-year, reaching approximately $59.6 billion. However, sales remain concentrated in a few major markets. The US, UK, and China together account for 76% of global sales by value.