Global insurance premiums grew by 9.7% in 2004 to reach $3.3 trillion. This follows 11.7% growth in the previous year. Life insurance premiums grew by 9.8% during the year due to rising demand for annuity and pension products. Non-life insurance premiums grew by 9.4% as premium rates increased. Over the past decade, global insurance premiums rose by more than a half as annual growth fluctuated between 2% and 10%.
Advanced economies account for the bulk of global insurance. With premium income of $1,217bn in 2004, North America was the most important region, followed by the EU ($1,198bn) and Japan ($492bn). The top four countries accounted for nearly two-thirds of premiums in 2004. The US and Japan alone accounted for a half of world insurance, much higher than their 7% share of the global population. Emerging markets accounted for over 85% of the world’s population but generated only 10% of premiums. The volume of UK insurance business totalled $295bn in 2004 or 9.1% of global premiums.
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