In 2025, the UAE is set to attract 9,800 millionaires, surpassing all other countries in global wealth migration.

The Migration Wave is Real:
It is expected that next year, 165,000 millionaires will relocate globally. The UK alone is facing a net loss of 16,500 millionaires. And the UAE? A net gain of nearly 10,000—primarily from capital cities like London, Mumbai, Moscow, and Beijing.

Dubai in the Spotlight:
According to the latest Henley & Partners Private Wealth Migration Report, the UAE is on track to become the world’s most popular destination for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in 2025, with a projected net inflow of 9,800 millionaires.

This puts the UAE well ahead of its global peers and underscores the country’s growing status as a top destination for wealthy individuals—driven by an attractive lifestyle, progressive legal reforms, and a business-friendly environment.

Why the World’s Wealthy Are Moving to the UAE:
Wealth advisory conversations at St. James’s Place Middle East, a UK FTSE-listed firm, echo the report’s findings. “The UAE’s rising popularity is fuelled by outbound movements from the UK and shifting wealth preferences in Asia,” the firm noted.

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has become a hotspot for ultra-wealthy families, riding this momentum. It now hosts 120 family offices managing $1.2 trillion in assets. In just one year, DIFC recorded a 33% increase in family offices, a 51% rise in foundations, and a 50% growth in hedge funds. In total, 410 wealth managers are active in DIFC, marketing more than 10,000 funds globally.

“The UAE’s ability to offer secular legal structures for marriage, divorce, and inheritance has been a game-changer,” said Sunita Singh-Dalal, Partner at Hourani. “It’s helped attract families from across the globe seeking long-term stability and wealth protection.”

Wealth Management Momentum:
Economist Dr. Bhaskar Dasgupta, Chair of the Apex Boards for the Middle East and India, attributes the UAE’s rise to its “strategic location, deep capital reserves, English common law system, and world-class infrastructure.”

The UAE’s two main financial hubs—DIFC (Dubai) and ADGM (Abu Dhabi)—offer global investors a secure legal framework based on common law, a key differentiator in the region.

Even the introduction of corporate tax in 2023 hasn’t slowed momentum. On the contrary, foreign direct investment continues to rise. With 140 double tax treaties and a growing ecosystem around fintech, AI, and blockchain, the UAE is steadily expanding its global financial footprint.

Major international players are taking note: BlackRock and Goldman Sachs are among those increasing their investments to ride the UAE’s growth wave.

Ras Al Khaimah in the Spotlight:
While Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to capture investor interest, Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is emerging as a rising star. Investor confidence is growing, particularly with the upcoming Wynn Resort project, expected to open in 2027 as the region’s first regulated gaming destination.

According to Knight Frank, 46% of the world’s wealthy now see RAK as an increasingly attractive real estate destination—a figure that climbs to 80% among affluent expats already residing in the UAE.

With cost-efficient free zones like RAKICC and RAKEZ and a growing focus on lifestyle-driven tourism, RAK is carving out its own niche for capital inflow beyond the traditional hubs.

Visas, Reforms, and the Future of Wealth:
At the heart of the UAE’s success is its constantly evolving Golden Visa programme. In the past nine months alone, five new unsponsored visa categories have been introduced—ranging from digital content creators and healthcare professionals to luxury yacht owners.

Backed by AED 208 billion, Dubai’s Social Agenda 33 sets a long-term vision, placing family development, generational wealth, and social cohesion at the core of national policy.

The migration wave is real: next year, 165,000 millionaires are expected to relocate worldwide. The UK faces a net loss of 16,500 millionaires. The UAE? A net gain of nearly 10,000—primarily from global hubs like London, Mumbai, Moscow, and Beijing.

As Dominic Volek, Head of Private Clients at Henley & Partners, puts it:
"Wealth migration has evolved from a last resort into a critical strategic tool. And the UAE has become one of the most effective platforms to execute that strategy."

The Bottom Line:
With its combination of legal certainty, investor-friendly regulation, strategic reforms, and forward-thinking governance, the UAE isn’t just attracting global wealth—it’s redefining how the world’s affluent plan their future.

And in 2025, that future is increasingly pointing towards the Emirates.

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