Dubai and Abu Dhabi Ranked Top Wealth Hubs
The two UAE cities have been recognized as leading destinations for young individuals managing recently acquired wealth.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Middle East
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Dubai and Abu Dhabi have secured spots within the top 10 of the Savills Next Generation Wealth Hubs Index. This index identifies cities best positioned to attract individuals under 40 who possess newly made or inherited wealth.
Why it matters
Younger high-net-worth individuals are prioritizing specific lifestyle, education, wellness, and personal values when selecting locations for business and residence. As an estimated $84 trillion transitions between generations over the next two decades, cities are competing to attract this demographic.
The index evaluated 100 destinations across four key metrics, including business, governance, and lifestyle. Monaco currently stands as the world's most expensive prime residential market, averaging $6,135 per square foot.
The players
Savills
Savills is a global real estate services provider that conducts international research on property markets and wealth distribution.
Dubai
Dubai is a major business and tourism center in the United Arab Emirates that frequently ranks as a premier global hub for international investment.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and a key regional center for finance, culture, and government administration.
The details
The report highlights that cities attract mobile wealth through strategic combinations of tax environments, infrastructure investment, and luxury service offerings. Dubai and London were specifically noted for hosting the highest number of prestige sporting events annually among the locations studied.
Timeline
An estimated $84 trillion in wealth is expected to transfer between generations over the next two decades.
Travel Outlook
The emergence of these hubs follows the broader trend of wealth migration toward regions with favorable business governance and luxury infrastructure. This shifts traditional tourism and investment patterns away from historical European centers toward more rapidly evolving international markets.
Travelers and investors should anticipate higher demand and premium pricing in these top-ranked cities as they continue to attract global luxury capital. Understanding these rankings can help in identifying where business and lifestyle infrastructure is seeing the most significant modern investment.
The takeaway
Cities that successfully integrate prestige sporting events, high-end residential options, and favorable tax policies are best positioned to attract the next generation of global wealth. Investors should monitor how these cities evolve their infrastructure to maintain their competitive advantage in the coming years.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest regional trends in the Middle East.
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Would you choose to move your business to a location primarily for its luxury lifestyle offerings?
