A new global shift in wealth migration is underway, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is emerging as one of the most attractive destinations for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and families seeking fiscal stability, geopolitical certainty, and long-term capital preservation.
Fresh data from global financial advisory firm deVere Group indicates that around 35% of high-net-worth individuals surveyed are actively considering relocating to jurisdictions with predictable tax and policy environments. This reflects a broader structural change in how wealthy individuals are thinking about residence, asset protection, and long-term planning.
A Strategic Shift in Wealth Migration
Advisers increasingly describe this trend as part of a wider “Great Wealth Migration” – where affluent families and ultra-wealthy individuals prioritise jurisdictions offering long-term residency, regulatory clarity, and stable legal frameworks.
While traditional centres such as London and New York remain influential, changing tax regimes, rising regulation, and geopolitical uncertainty are accelerating movement toward alternative hubs such as the UAE.
According to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report, the UAE is expected to remain the world’s leading destination for millionaire inflows, building on record net inflows in recent years. The country has consistently ranked among the top global “wealth magnets,” driven by pro-business policies, strong financial infrastructure, and international connectivity.
Why the UAE Continues to Attract Global Wealth
Several factors underpin the UAE’s growing appeal:
Zero personal income tax and long-term residency options, including golden visas and investor pathways
Political and economic stability relative to many Western jurisdictions
World-class infrastructure, healthcare, education, and transport connectivity
Safety, lifestyle quality, and international business environment
Henley & Partners estimates that the UAE will welcome thousands of millionaire migrants annually, bringing with them billions in investable capital and reinforcing the country’s role as a central hub for private wealth.
Broader Implications for Private Capital
Wealth migration is not simply about where individuals live. It reshapes:
Where capital is deployed
Where family offices establish operations
Where private market ecosystems form
Where long-term investment relationships are built
As families and principals relocate, they bring entrepreneurial energy, investment mandates, and long-horizon perspectives that influence regional private markets.
What This Means for Founders, Family Offices & Investors
Understanding the geography of global wealth is becoming increasingly important.
Capital tends to follow stability and networks tend to form around trust. Ecosystems also emerge where long-term thinkers choose to base themselves.
The UAE’s continued rise as a wealth migration destination signals more than lifestyle preference – it reflects a structural re-alignment in how and where global private capital intends to operate over the coming decade.
Sources
Khaleej Times – UAE in pole position as global wealth migration surges
Economy Middle East – Great wealth migration accelerates as 35% of global HNWIs consider relocation
Henley & Partners – Private Wealth Migration Report
Scientific Research Publishing – Global Mobility & Wealth Migration
Khaleej Times Facebook – Millionaire migrant inflows to UAE