Global dividends grew by 17pc in 2021 to reach an all-time high of $1.5 trillion (£1.1 trillion), as a surge in commodity prices boosted payouts. 

Nine out of 10 companies either raised their dividends or held them steady during the year, according to Janus Henderson, an investment firm. But dividends from the British, European and Australian markets grew the fastest compared with 2020, thanks to a recovery in both the mining and banking industries. 

Overall, dividends from banks jumped by 40pc to $51bn, just 10pc lower than their 2019 peak. Meanwhile, soaring commodity prices boosted profits of miners and energy companies last year. 

Of the top ten biggest global dividend payers, Fortescue Metals, an Australian iron ore company, boosted the highest yield of 23pc. That was followed by BHP, a company listed in London that also specialises in iron, which recorded a yield of 12pc.