Millionaires have built their wealthy empire over time. Their neo-colonial need to expand comes with the power of financial dominance. However, it is not just a lifestyle decision but a strategic business decision. Extravagant luxuries also come with attractive tax rates that promote ease of doing business in several countries, and hence the gaining popularity of migration cases in millionaires.
According to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025, roughly 142,000 millionaires are expected to relocate globally in 2025. “It reflects a deepening perception among the wealthy that greater opportunity, freedom, and stability lie elsewhere,” told Dominic Volek, the head of private clients at Henley & Partners to Business Insider.
Most desirable countries for migration
- UAE
- United States
- Italy
- Switzerland
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- Portugal
- Greece
- Canada
- Australia
These countries will become the first to welcome high net worth individuals in 2025. With 9,800 millionaires in UAE, 3600 to Italy, more than 7000 personalities will even move to the US. This not only marks a shift in real estate trends, but also revolutionising entrepreneurial values.
Luxury capitals
In 2025, earning well isn’t just owning luxury anymore. It’s about being able to afford the most expensive city in the world – from commodities to services, that’s the real millionaire index. The most luxurious city in the world is Singapore. Followed by London, Hong Kong, and Monaco, these are the top five most expensive cities for the wealthy in 2025. Not taking the dynamic global politics into question, Zurich, Shanghai, Dubai, New York, Paris, and Milan, rank in the list too.
Dubai: A money magnet
It is interesting to note that UAE tops the chart among the most desirable destination for migration, it ranks among the bottom five when it comes to luxury living with New York in overlapping list too. However, Dubai is viewed as an extensively secure and stable environment for maximising wealth despite of a global upheaval of tariffs, polity, and trade. It also gives access to luxury investments such as real estate, state of the art private healthcare, and proximity to major financial centres.
Dubai also has an extremely streamlined golden visa program which draws entrepreneurs, and wealthy businesses to set up their estate. The current estimated wealth of the migrants in Dubai is nearly $63 billion.
While it is not limited to leaving their home residencies alone, several conglomerate owners are opting for e-residency. From Mukesh Ambani to Bill Gates, several notable personalities are expanding their firms due to convenient work environments, viable tax agreements, and ease of doing business overall.
