Asia's ultra rich rocketed a whopping 17% to 4.32m in 2013

Their precious wealth climbed to US$14.2tr.

While North America remains the wealthiest region with the world's largest High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) population in 2013, Asia-Pacific narrowed its lead to less than 10,000 individuals, and led the global HNWI population growth in 2013 by expanding at 17.3 percent to reach 4.32 million.

According to the World Wealth Report 2014, jointly released by Capgemini and RBC Wealth Management, Asia-Pacific also led in HNWI wealth growth at 18.2 percent, reaching US$14.20 trillion. Japan contributed the second highest number of HNWIs to the global population in 2013 at 425,000, behind the US' 570,000 population. Hong Kong, meanwhile, experienced increases in HNWI population and wealth of 9.4 percent and 11.9 percent to reach 124,000 and US$626.9 billion respectively.

HNWIs are defined as those having investable assets of US$1 million or more, excluding primary residence, collectibles, consumables, and consumer durables.

Here's more from Capgemini and RBC Wealth Management:

North America and Asia-Pacific remained in a close race for the world’s largest HNWI market by population in 2013, with growth in Asia-Pacific narrowing North America’s lead to less than 10,000 individuals.

North America’s HNWI population expanded by 16 percent to 4.33 million, while Asia-Pacific’s grew by 17 percent to reach 4.32 million.

North America maintained its position as the wealthiest region, increasing its HNWI wealth by 17 percent to reach US$14.88 trillion, though this growth was again outpaced by Asia-Pacific, where HNWI wealth expanded by 18 percent to reach US$14.20 trillion.

“Overall, 2013 was another strong year for the High Net Worth market, with surging equity markets and improving economies contributing to double digit growth in both population and wealth levels,” said M. George Lewis, Group Head, RBC Wealth Management & RBC Insurance. “Looking at longer term growth trends, nearly 40 percent of the current level of High Net Worth wealth has been created in the past five years alone."