Dubai named top choice for world’s wealthiest families in 2025
New report shows billionaires increasingly selecting the UAE as their primary base
DUBAI – Dubai has emerged as one of the world’s strongest magnets for billionaire wealth, as global fortunes climbed to a record $15.8 trillion in 2025, according to the latest UBS Billionaire Ambitions Report.
Published annually by the Swiss wealth manager, the report highlights a major shift in global wealth flows and the growing mobility of the world’s richest families. It also shows that 36% of billionaires have relocated at least once, with Dubai ranking among their top preferred destinations alongside Singapore, London and New York.
Global hub for the rich
The report identifies the United Arab Emirates, and particularly Dubai, as a central hub attracting high-net-worth individuals from Pakistan, India, Europe and across Asia. Analysts attribute this trend to Dubai’s tax-free system, stable governance, strong economic outlook and international standards of living, which continue to appeal to wealthy families seeking long-term security.
A key highlight of the study is the substantial rise in women’s wealth. Women billionaires increased their assets by more than 8% in 2025, compared to just over 3% for men. This growth is linked to heightened investment activity in technology, finance and emerging businesses, allowing women to expand their fortunes at a faster pace for the fourth consecutive year.
Historic wealth transfer
Another major trend is inheritance. In 2025, wealthy families transferred a record $297.8 billion to their heirs, marking the largest annual wealth transfer recorded by UBS. Many newly wealthy heirs are choosing the UAE as their base, drawn by its global connectivity and business-friendly regulations. UBS estimates that around $7 trillion will be passed to the next generation worldwide by 2040, intensifying the movement of wealth into stable financial centres including Dubai.
Self-made billionaires also had a powerful impact on global wealth creation. In 2025, 196 self-made individuals added $386.5 billion to global wealth, with significant contributions from the United States, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Rising influence
The report notes that billionaires remain increasingly mobile, with quality of life, geopolitical factors and tax management ranking among the top motivations for relocation. For many wealthy investors, Dubai’s international lifestyle and strategic advantages reinforce its status as one of the world’s leading destinations for securing and growing global fortunes.