Today's Edition
A.SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
The UAE’s ultra-high-net-worth individual (UHNWI) population is projected to grow by 36% over the next five years, rising from 4,851 in 2026 to 6,588 by 2031, according to Knight Frank’s Wealth Report 2026. UHNWIs are defined as individuals with a net worth of $30 million or more.
This follows a sharp expansion over the previous five-year period, with the UAE’s UHNWI population increasing 55% from 3,193 in 2021 to 4,851 in 2026, underscoring the country’s growing appeal as a global wealth hub.
The report highlights that the Middle East’s UHNWI population is expected to grow by 32.1% between 2026 and 2031, broadly in line with the UAE’s trajectory, reflecting sustained wealth creation and inflows into the region.
The UAE continues to strengthen its position as a magnet for global wealth, supported by its status as a key commercial and financial gateway anchored by Dubai, alongside the rising profile of Abu Dhabi.
Dubai has emerged as “the busiest luxury homes market globally since the end of 2022,” driven by strong demand from buyers across the Middle East, Europe, China and India.
Abu Dhabi, meanwhile, is gaining traction as an alternative destination for ultra-wealthy families seeking a more discreet and culturally rich environment. The emirate’s expanding cultural infrastructure and relatively calmer lifestyle are contributing to its appeal among global investors and high-net-worth residents.
Faisal Durrani, Head of Research for the Middle East and Africa at Knight Frank, said: “Geopolitical risks aside, the UAE has begun to attract global institutional capital interest in a way that we have not seen historically.”
He noted that major global investors such as Brookfield, Hines, Gaw Capital, and Blackstone are now active in the UAE market, “some for the first time, seeking income-generating assets,” particularly in industrial, logistics and build-to-rent residential sectors.
Durrani added that the UAE’s position as the region’s primary commercial and financial gateway “means its risk profile has improved among global investors,” with the property market “gradually moving from being a peripheral consideration to a core contender for global institutional capital.”
The report also notes that Dubai has successfully positioned itself as a tax-efficient hub for highly mobile wealth, while Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a lifestyle alternative could further reinforce the UAE’s long-term proposition for global investors.
The UAE remained a global leader in the super-prime residential segment, with Dubai recording 500 home sales above $10 million in 2025, up sharply from 113 in 2021, highlighting the scale of demand from the world’s wealthiest buyers.
