Not in the developed West it isn't. I'm a fortunate young professional in that I have a stonking great mortgage and still owe (some, it is the UK) of my student

Not in the developed West it isn't. I'm a fortunate young professional in that I have a stonking great mortgage and still owe (some, it is the UK) of my student loan. In wealth terms I'm doing OK but not great, certainly not in liquid / disposable wealth terms as well as before my property. In the long run however my decisions will likely lead to me being much wealthier than if I maximised my present wealth at all times. I'd say for many people in the West that income is a greater factor. I know plenty of posh people who have inherited money but who have decent but not spectacularly well paying jobs. The cost of modern middle class living in the UK quickly reduces much difference between what they can afford and what I can.