The United Arab Emirates—led by Dubai’s remarkable growth—has officially secured its place among the world’s top seven wealth hubs, according to the Julius Baer Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report 2025. This new milestone marks a significant leap forward for the country’s ambition to be a global centre for finance, private wealth, and investment advisory.
With a combination of investor-friendly policies, regulatory innovation, and unmatched lifestyle appeal, the UAE is not only attracting global capital—but also fast becoming home to thousands of the world’s ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs).
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Dubai Ranked 7th in the World for the Wealthy
According to Julius Baer, Dubai has climbed five places in the global wealth hub rankings to become the 7th most attractive wealth hub, ahead of cities like Paris, Geneva, and Seoul. This ranking considers factors such as cost of living for luxury goods and services, the volume of wealthy residents, and a city’s appeal for wealth preservation and growth.
Dubai leads the Middle East in terms of high-end investment, wealth booking, and family office activity. It also continues to attract elite wealth managers, with firms like St. James’s Place, UBS, and Rothschild & Co. expanding their regional footprint.
🔗 Julius Baer Global Wealth & Lifestyle Report
Trillions in Assets, and More to Come
The UAE’s wealth credentials go far beyond rankings:
- The country is on track to become the 6th-largest wealth booking centre in the world by 2028, managing an estimated $1.5 trillion in private wealth, according to industry forecasts.
- The UAE also holds the third-largest sovereign wealth and public investment portfolio globally, valued at approximately $2.49 trillion, behind only the United States and China.
- The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) added over 1,000 new companies in the first half of 2025—a 32% year-on-year growth. Much of this growth came from hedge funds, family offices, and private equity firms seeking regional access.
🔗 Dubai International Financial Centre H1 2025 Report
Wealth Migration to the UAE at Record Levels
In parallel with this financial evolution, the UAE is attracting a surge of global millionaires. The Henley Global Citizens Report estimates that the UAE will welcome around 10,000 high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in 2025—more than any other country in the world.
Factors driving this inflow include:
- 0% income and capital gains tax on individuals
- High safety and political stability
- A world-class luxury lifestyle ecosystem
- Streamlined residency and golden visa options
🔗 Henley Global Citizens Report – 2025
What This Means for Corporate Services
This transition into a top-tier wealth centre has several implications for businesses, legal advisors, and financial professionals in the UAE:
Increased Demand for Family Office Structuring
HNWIs are seeking help with tax planning, succession, and estate management through UAE-based family offices.
Growth in Trust and Wealth Vehicles
The UAE’s Common Law jurisdictions ADGM and DIFC offer robust legal frameworks for setting up trusts, SPVs, and holding companies tailored for global wealth.
Boom in Luxury Real Estate and Asset Investment
Corporate service providers are seeing increased demand for structuring offshore holdings, property portfolios, and cross-border compliance strategies.
A New Home for Global Fund Managers
With supportive fund passporting regimes, international hedge funds and asset managers are setting up shop in Dubai Internatonal Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to tap regional investors.
Final Word: A Global Platform for the Future of Wealth
Dubai and the broader UAE are no longer just regional finance hubs—they are global competitors. For businesses and advisors operating in the Emirates, this presents an enormous opportunity to support, structure, and service the world’s most sophisticated wealth owners.
As the UAE continues to attract and manage trillions in assets, corporate services firms that understand the nuances of private wealth governance, regulatory compliance, and cross-border structuring will be best positioned to lead in this new era.
Benoy Jacob is a journalist-turned-business consultant, currently serving as the Director of Client Relations at ATB Corporate in Abu Dhabi. With a keen eye for market trends and business strategy, he helps companies expand, build strategic partnerships, and optimize their operations in the UAE. Benoy brings a unique perspective on economic policies, trade ecosystems, and investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi and the wider MENA region.