The United Arab Emirates has solidified its position as the Middle East’s premier wealth hub, with its billionaire class experiencing a remarkable 21.6% wealth expansion in 2025. According to the comprehensive Billionaire Ambitions Report published by Swiss banking giant UBS, the collective fortune of UAE billionaires surged by $30 billion (Dh110 billion), elevating their total wealth to $168.7 billion (Dh619 billion) from $138.7 billion the previous year.
This substantial growth has been fueled by robust macroeconomic performance and strategic policy initiatives that continue to attract global capital. The UAE now hosts 19 billionaires, having gained two new members while witnessing one departure during the reporting period. This places the Emirates significantly ahead of regional competitors, with Israel’s billionaire wealth standing at $108.1 billion and Saudi Arabia’s at $81 billion.
The nation’s appeal to ultra-high-net-worth individuals received further validation through the 2025 Private Wealth Migration Report by Henley & Partners, which projects approximately 9,800 millionaires will relocate to the UAE alongside an estimated $63 billion in associated capital this year. This migration trend has been exemplified by high-profile moves such as British steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal’s relocation to the Emirates, citing favorable tax environments and business-friendly policies.
Concurrently, the region is preparing for an unprecedented intergenerational wealth transfer. UBS analysis indicates that across the Middle East and Africa, heirs are positioned to inherit at least $152.7 billion (Dh560.4 billion) over the coming 15 years. The UAE is expected to witness the second-largest transfer in the region at $31.9 billion (Dh117 billion), trailing only Israel’s projected $48.4 billion transfer.
Niels Zilkens, Head of Wealth Management Middle East at UBS GWM, emphasized that the substantial wealth accumulation reflects both dynamic entrepreneurship and the accelerating transfer of assets to subsequent generations. Benjamin Cavalli, Head of Strategic Clients and Global Connectivity at UBS Global Wealth Management, noted that as families become increasingly international, the focus is shifting from wealth preservation to empowering heirs to succeed independently while maintaining responsible stewardship of family legacies.