A remarkable shift in global migration patterns is underway as wealthy individuals relocate across borders at a pace that experts say is unprecedented in modern history.
Driven by a mix of economic, tax and lifestyle considerations, affluent people and entrepreneurs are increasingly choosing new homelands, reshaping financial flows and national competitiveness worldwide.
According to investment migration specialists, more than 142,000 millionaires are expected to move to new countries this year, with that number forecasted to rise to around 165,000 in 2026; the highest annual global relocation of high-net-worth individuals on record.
Where the Wealth Is Heading
The United Arab Emirates continues to stand out as a leading destination for wealthy migrants, with an estimated net influx of nearly 10,000 millionaires in 2025, supported by attractive tax policies, stable governance and visa programs designed to draw international capital.
The United States also remains a major magnet, welcoming more than 7,000 affluent newcomers annually; many through long-standing investment-linked programs that offer permanent residency in exchange for economic commitments.
Other popular destinations include Italy, Switzerland and Saudi Arabia, appealing to the global elite with their combined mix of lifestyle appeal, business opportunity and fiscal environments.
Countries Losing Wealth
At the same time, several traditional economic powerhouses are experiencing notable outflows of their wealthiest residents.
The United Kingdom is projected to see the largest single-country net departure of millionaires, with an estimated 16,500 high-net-worth individuals leaving, driven in part by changes in tax and immigration regimes.
Other countries facing net losses include China, India and several major European economies, where rising tax rates, regulatory uncertainty or political pressures are cited as factors behind affluent residents’ decisions to seek residence elsewhere.
Why Wealth Migration Matters
Experts say that this mass movement of capital and people is more than a demographic trend; it has significant implications for global economic influence and long-term financial strength.
Nations that successfully attract wealthy individuals benefit not only from new investment flows but also from the entrepreneurship, innovation and global networks these individuals bring with them.
Conversely, countries experiencing sustained outflows risk a reduction in private capital, slowing economic dynamism and diminished tax revenues, posing new challenges for policymaking in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
As the year progresses, analysts expect the ongoing relocation of wealthy migrants to remain a defining feature of global economic restructuring; influencing markets, investment patterns and national strategies well beyond current borders.