Global wealth trends in 2025

The top five spots on the Savills HNW Individuals Hotspot Index are taken by Dubai, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi, with Monaco, Los Angeles, Miami, Aspen and London completing the top 10.

Emerging centres of wealth include Rome, Tuscany and Milan, which are among the top 30 locations on the HNW Hotspot Index thanks to the popularity of the Italian lifestyle and the country’s flat tax on global earnings. Sydney, Shenzhen, Kuala Lumpur and Lisbon also have growing numbers of wealthy residents.

Global wealth is increasingly mobile, and the options for HNW individuals are wider than ever – a change accelerated by technology and remote working patterns. For global citizens, this unlocks a new way to live and to use their properties.

Private members’ clubs, exclusive shopping, Michelin-starred restaurants and immersive cultural opportunities all influence where the globally wealthy live. “Health is wealth” is the new mantra, with access to nature and sophisticated wellness facilities now key considerations.

Tokyo has the most Michelin Guide-recommended restaurants, Paris is a fashion capital and top designer brands cluster in New York. Yet for all-round quality of life, including access to the best hospitality and healthcare, London leads the world.

The Savills HNW Individuals Hotspot Index includes cities, coastal resorts, ski slopes and country escapes. What these locations have in common is that they attract high-net-worth individuals, thanks to an innovative economy where business can thrive, with low corporate tax, good airport connectivity and strong digital infrastructure.

Property remains an integral part of the fluid wealth portfolio. Tax regimes and the lifestyle on offer in global cities are key factors in real estate purchases, with additional motivations including schooling, capital preservation and the desire to buy a trophy asset.

For high-net-worth families, excellent international schools, personal safety and generously sized homes are essential factors in any relocation decision. Prime family-focused choices include Dubai, with 168 international schools at the time of writing, Madrid with 92, and London and Seoul, which have a high concentration of top-ranked universities.

Buyers are choosing prime residential real estate based not just on their lifestyle priorities but also long-term security and the potential for rental yield. HNW individuals today seek longevity and usability with a property checklist that includes privacy, generous space and a high-quality, turnkey finish.

Real estate plays an important role in succession planning, one reason for a surge in the growing numbers of family offices. The UK’s global reach on inheritance tax is a drawback, while Singapore, Dubai and Monaco are attractive for tax-efficient wealth transfer.