Dubai and Abu Dhabi Rank Top 10 Globally for Next-Generation Wealth Transfer, Savills Report Reveals

Dubai and Abu Dhabi have secured spots among the top 10 global destinations for the transfer of next-generation wealth, according to a new report by Savills. Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, Dubai was ranked eighth and Abu Dhabi tenth in Savills' 'Spotlight on Wealth Trends' report, which analyzes the $84 trillion in wealth expected to change hands over the next two decades. The consultancy defines next-generation wealth as individuals under 40 who have either inherited substantial fortunes or achieved success through entrepreneurship.

Both emirates have benefited significantly from government initiatives aimed at fostering economic and societal growth. These include attractive tax environments, business-friendly policies, and substantial infrastructure investments, complemented by a sophisticated luxury offering, Savills noted. Dubai, in particular, draws international talent and capital through its robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, global connectivity, and appealing lifestyle. Abu Dhabi complements this with its expanding financial center, a growing number of family offices, increasing economic opportunities, and a high quality of life, reinforcing the UAE's standing as a prime location for globally mobile wealth, according to Kelcie Sellers, associate director for world research at Savills.

Sellers also highlighted that within the broader Gulf region, economic diversification and succession planning are gaining prominence, with a heightened focus on family governance, the involvement of younger generations, and the long-term deployment of capital within the region. The report indicates that despite short-term volatility from Middle Eastern conflicts, wealth generation and the influx of new capital into the UAE continue. The nation is a significant draw for ultra-high net worth individuals, global wealth managers, and trillion-dollar asset managers, offering opportunities to expand regional operations and engage with major sovereign wealth funds and institutional partners.

Boston Consulting Group projects that net wealth in the UAE will surge to $6 trillion by the end of this decade, with an anticipated increase of over $2.3 trillion in the five years leading up to 2030, reflecting an annual growth rate of 10.6 percent. Last year alone, net wealth in the UAE grew by nearly 13 percent to reach $3.6 trillion.

Globally, New York led the Savills list, followed by Miami, London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Monaco. Dubai and Abu Dhabi were the only cities from the Gulf to feature in the top rankings, which assessed over 100 global destinations. Cities in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) constituted 16 of the top 30 locations, influenced by lifestyle factors and major sporting events like golf tournaments, tennis championships, and Formula One races. Dubai ranked first in the EMEA region for sporting events, while Abu Dhabi, host of the season-ending F1 race, was sixth.

Sellers described the EMEA region's wealth proposition as diverse, encompassing global business centers, leading educational institutions, significant sporting and cultural events, and desirable coastal and mountain retreats. Industry tracker Altrata reports that global personal wealth grew by almost 11 percent in 2025, creating approximately one million new millionaires. The number of ultra-high net worth individuals (those with $30 million or more) now exceeds 510,800, collectively holding around $60 trillion in wealth. Savills' research also suggests that location decisions are becoming a critical aspect of wealth planning, with new fortunes generated by technology and artificial intelligence reshaping global wealth hubs. Consequently, many affluent families are adopting multi-jurisdictional lifestyles, balancing residence, education, and wealth structures across various markets.