The United Arab Emirates is solidifying its position as the world’s foremost destination for migrating high-net-worth individuals, with Indian millionaires constituting one of the most substantial and consistent demographic flows. According to Henley & Partners’ latest private wealth migration estimates, the UAE recorded a net inflow of approximately 9,800 millionaires in 2025, translating to roughly $63 billion (Dh231 billion) in investable assets. This follows the country’s top global ranking in 2024, when it attracted about 6,700 millionaires.
The Indian wealth migration pattern reveals a sustained trend rather than a temporary phenomenon. Estimates indicate approximately 5,100 Indian millionaires departed in 2023, followed by 4,300 in 2024, with nearly 3,500 projected for 2025. This consistent outflow signals a strategic, long-term capital repositioning rather than a reactive response to transient political or economic conditions.
Surveys conducted by Kotak Private Banking and EY reveal that over 20% of ultra-high-net-worth Indians (those possessing assets exceeding Rs250 million) have either planned or executed relocation strategies. While surface-level factors like taxation, pollution, and quality of life are frequently mentioned, analysts identify deeper structural drivers including constrained competitive space in traditional industries, sluggish regulatory processes, inconsistent policy implementation, and perceived insufficient rewards for innovation and risk-taking.
The UAE addresses these concerns through a compelling combination of zero personal income tax, absence of capital gains and inheritance taxes, and the Golden Visa system providing long-term residency security. The jurisdiction offers predictable regulatory enforcement, efficient business processes, and strategic geographic positioning bridging Asian, European, and African markets. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have consequently evolved into operational headquarters for numerous Indian entrepreneurs rather than mere lifestyle destinations.
Healthcare economics have emerged as a critical consideration in relocation decisions. The SIP Health Cost Index 2025 ranks the UAE approximately 10th globally for healthcare affordability, with comprehensive family insurance typically ranging between Dh50,000 to Dh100,000 annually. This contrasts sharply with the United States ($17,969 per person), Hong Kong ($16,175), and Singapore ($14,231), where elevated medical insurance costs can significantly impact long-term financial planning.
International residence and citizenship planning surged by 43% in 2025, with affluent individuals from 92 nationalities pursuing cross-border mobility strategies. Rising healthcare inflation, alongside education expenses and intergenerational security concerns, has transitioned from peripheral considerations to central drivers in migration decisions.
While alternative destinations including the United States, Singapore, Portugal, Australia, and Canada offer various advantages, each presents trade-offs regarding taxation, healthcare costs, immigration complexity, or regional connectivity. The UAE’s distinctive appeal lies in its integrated offering combining fiscal efficiency, business opportunity, premium healthcare, educational excellence, safety, and global mobility within a stable administrative framework.
For Indian millionaires, this migration represents not a rejection of India’s economic potential but a strategic adaptation to structural limitations domestically and enhanced flexibility internationally. As global competition for mobile wealth intensifies, the UAE’s leadership position appears both secure and likely to expand in coming years.