Dubai emerges as a sought-after location for worldwide wealth relocation
Revamped Review: Dubai: The Hotspot for Global Wealth
Dubai, with its millionaire populace surging beyond 81,000, is swiftly transforming into a "strategic base" for high-net-worth individuals seeking lasting security, capital preservation, and unrestricted global mobility, recently revealed in the report, 'Dubai: More Than a Pit Stop, Much More Than the Finish Line for Global Wealth' by Better Homes.
The report elucidates the city's staggering 102% growth in millionaire occupants over the last decade, placing it among the world's most dynamic and prominent wealth hubs.
Louis Harding, CEO of Betterhomes, noted, "Dubai's real estate market is beyond speculation; it's driven by shrewd, long-term capital." He further asserted, "We're observing global wealth not just arrive but set roots here, in branded residences, legacy properties, and developments built for durability." As millionaire migration gains speed, Dubai's property sector will metamorphose from a cyclical opportunity into a stable asset class. Dubai is no longer merely a magnet for capital; it's becoming the gold standard for global residential investment.
By 2035, Dubai is projected to see its centi-millionaire population more than double, as per the recent 'World's Wealthiest Cities Report 2025' compiled by Henley & Partners and New World Wealth. Currently ranked 18th globally, Dubai is home to 81,200 millionaires, including 237 centi-millionaires (those with wealth exceeding $100 million) and 20 billionaires.
The Centi-Millionaire Boom of 2035
Dubai's escalating status as a global wealth anchor isn't merely a real estate trend; it signals a significant shift in the global wealth landscape.
According to Better Homes, Dubai stands out due to policies designed to entice, not discourage, allowing individuals to safeguard their wealth, plan their legacies, and maintain influence over global markets from a secure base.
This structural recalibration of wealth flows stems from several factors. Those migrating from East Asia include Chinese entrepreneurs establishing offshore holdings in response to domestic policy shifts. Vietnamese investors diversify against rising political and economic uncertainty. The city also attracts wealthy individuals from Turkey and Argentina seeking refuge from currency depreciation and systemic volatility. Even within established markets, such as the United Kingdom or the United States, Dubai is increasingly perceived as a pragmatic choice for capital preservation and growth due to escalating taxation and inflationary measures.
"We are witnessing global wealth not just come in, but take root in Dubai," repeated Harding.
Earlier this year, Dubai's luxury residential market set a new record for $10 million-plus home sales, according to data collated by Knight Frank, the global real estate consultancy. Knight Frank's latest Destination Dubai report also singled out Dubai as a hub for international high-net-worth individuals interested in purchasing a home in the city with a net worth in excess of $15 million.
Future Outlook
As tariffs impact economies worldwide, latest forecasts spark a stark contrast between the Euro Area and the UAE, underscoring the UAE's strategic position as a premier destination for investment and relocation.
In contrast to Europe, the UAE is expecting GDP growth at 4% in 2025, reaching 5% in 2026 and stabilizing at 4.7% in 2027 while maintaining a consistent inflation rate of 2%.
This blend of robust growth and low inflation cements the UAE's position as a prime hub for wealth migration and economic expansion.
Dubai's appeal derives from a confluence of factors: a zero-tax environment, a resilient and expanding economy, world-class infrastructure, robust financial ecosystem, thriving capital appreciation opportunities, and strategic wealth management tools. The city's global connectivity and business-friendly environment embolden its status as a premium wealth and investment hub for the future.
- As the centi-millionaire population in Dubai is projected to more than double by 2035, Dubai's position as a "strategic base" for high-net-worth individuals is further solidified.
- The report by Better Homes highlights Dubai's 102% growth in millionaire occupants over the last decade, positioning it among the world's most dynamic and prominent wealth hubs.
- Louis Harding, CEO of Betterhomes, notes that Dubai's real estate market is driven by long-term capital, with global wealth not just arriving but setting roots in the city's branded residences, legacy properties, and developments built for durability.
- Global wealth is increasingly seeking a secure base in Dubai, with major contributors being Chinese entrepreneurs, Vietnamese investors, and wealthy individuals from Turkey and Argentina, drawn by the city's attractive policies and stable environment.
- The future outlook of Dubai is promising, with enticing factors including a zero-tax environment, robust financial ecosystem, and strategic wealth management tools, making it a prime hub for wealth migration and economic expansion.
- The UAE's strategic position is underscored as latest forecasts show a stark contrast between the UAE and the Euro Area, with the UAE expecting 4% GDP growth in 2025, while maintaining a consistent inflation rate of 2%.
- Investing in home-and-garden properties in Dubai is becoming increasingly popular among international high-net-worth individuals, with Dubai attracting those with a net worth in excess of $15 million, in search of a premium investment and lifestyle destination.
