Why 2025 is a defining year for Wealth Migration & what it signals for UAE Real Estate
June 7, 2025
Dubai
We are witnessing more than a migration of individuals. The year 2025 marks a strategic redirection of global capital. According to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025, approximately 142,000 millionaires are expected to relocate this year the highest number on record (Source - Henley & Partners).
At the forefront of this movement is the United Arab Emirates (UAE), set to welcome a net inflow of 7,100 high net worth individuals (HNWIs). This is the third year in succession the UAE leads globally, reinforcing its position as a long-term destination for wealth. The appeal rests not just on tax neutrality but on a broader proposition of political stability, institutional access, and high quality of life.
Meanwhile, legacy jurisdictions are facing outflows. The United Kingdom is undergoing a policy overhaul, including the removal of the non-domiciled tax regime and adjustments to inheritance taxation, factors that are prompting an exodus of affluent residents (Source - The Washington Post). Switzerland, once a byword for banking discretion, is increasingly limited by evolving global transparency frameworks.
By contrast, the UAE offers clarity. A tax-neutral environment, well-structured residency programs such as the ten-year Golden Visa, and strong regional connectivity position it as a preferred base for globally mobile capital.
This shift is also transforming the real estate landscape. In Dubai, branded residences and luxury properties are seeing sustained demand, not from speculators but from end-users (Source - Knight Frank). Projects such as Binghatti Mercedes-Benz Places and Jacob & Co Residences on Yas Island illustrate how lifestyle branding is merging with real asset strategies.
More importantly, this migration is not superficial. New residents are embedding within the UAE’s financial ecosystem. Family offices are being licensed. Investment vehicles are being established in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). These capital flows are aligning with long-term themes of clean energy, advanced technology, and education.
This is no longer a trend, but a settled shift. Those who moved early are already positioned for structural upside. For others, 2025 may represent the last clear window to enter before valuations recalibrate and regulatory gates tighten.
Investors and developers should now focus on real estate that meets end-user demand, underpinned by livability and regulatory clarity. The reallocation of capital underway is neither speculative nor temporary. It is strategic. Those who approach it with foresight and discipline will be best placed to capture its long-term rewards.
Adil
CEO,
Comprehensive Management Consultants LLC.
Dubai
For a confidential discussion on aligning your investment strategy with these unfolding dynamics, feel free to connect directly.
📧 info@cmc-dubai.com
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