Dubai Named the World’s Top City for the Wealthy in Savills 2025 Global Report
Dubai has officially been ranked as the world’s number one city for the wealthy, latest Global Wealth Trends 2025 report. The emirate has surpassed global financial powerhouses such as New York and Singapore to claim the top position, solidifying its reputation as the preferred destination for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) seeking stability, opportunity, and luxury living.
The report attributes Dubai’s leading position to its extensive international school offerings, robust business ecosystem, and lifestyle appeal. While New York and Singapore closely followed in second and third place respectively, all three cities were noted for offering “pro-business environments, robust legal frameworks, high-quality education, and lifestyle appeal.”
Global Rankings and Key Indicators
Savills analyzed nearly 100 global destinations across five key metrics: business environment and wealth clustering, family infrastructure and cost, legacy, lifestyle, and privacy and security. The index provides “a clear view of the shifting landscape of global wealth and luxury real estate,” explained Victoria Garrett, Head of Global Residential at Savills.
Garrett added, “We’re seeing fewer divestments and more diversification. Our clients aren’t selling—they’re growing—adding new homes, new markets, and new lifestyles to their portfolios.” This insight reflects a long-term investment trend among global elites, particularly in markets like Dubai that combine tax efficiency with quality of life.
Dubai’s Edge: Family and Lifestyle Infrastructure
Dubai’s victory in the ranking is largely credited to its world-class family infrastructure and education system. The city leads the globe in the number of international schools, catering to its expanding expatriate population and newly relocated families. Neighborhoods such as Dubai Hills Estate, Palm Jumeirah, and Al Barari continue to attract affluent families for their blend of luxury, connectivity, and safety.
Beyond education, Dubai’s pro-business governance, zero income tax, and investor-friendly policies like the Golden Visa program have made it one of the world’s most attractive jurisdictions for wealth management and property investment. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) further anchors this advantage, providing a globally recognized legal and financial ecosystem that competes with traditional hubs in Europe and North America.
Top Five Wealth Destinations
The Global Wealth Trends 2025 report’s top five wealth hubs are:
- 1. Dubai
- 2. New York
- 3. Singapore
- 4. Hong Kong
- 5. Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong scored particularly high for economic competitiveness and global connectivity. Together, the UAE’s two largest cities have created a powerful wealth corridor that combines lifestyle excellence with strategic financial access.
Global Shifts in Wealth Behavior
The report also notes that wealthy individuals are increasingly prioritizing lifestyle and wellbeing over quick financial gains. According to Kelcie Sellers, Associate Director at Savills World Research, “Owners are holding on to their assets for longer, with an emphasis on lifestyle rather than quick returns.” This shift has positioned Dubai as a lifestyle-driven investment hub where luxury, safety, and long-term value converge.
In the United States, cities like Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, and Malibu joined New York in the top tier, while in Europe, Monaco, London, and Geneva led the rankings. However, Dubai’s dominance illustrates a new global order where emerging cities in the Middle East are outpacing long-established financial centers.
Expanding Horizons for Global Wealth
Beyond urban centers, the Savills report found that ultra-wealthy buyers are broadening their portfolios to include countryside and alpine destinations. Locations such as Tuscany (22nd), Jackson, Wyoming (28th), Aspen, Colorado (9th), and Zermatt, Switzerland (15th) also feature prominently, reflecting a diversification of wealth lifestyles across the globe.
“The new map of wealth is more fluid, decentralized, and globally distributed than ever before,” Sellers noted. “Where talent and capital converge, wealth follows.” As Dubai continues to attract global talent and innovation under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, it stands poised to remain the leading global hub for luxury real estate, investment, and high-net-worth migration for years to come.
