Report to"Dubai International Financial": "Solvent holders" They are reshaping global investment priorities with $87 trillion

Dubai, February 24 / WAM / The Dubai International Financial Centre, the global financial centre, today issued its first report in a series of “Future of the Financial Sector” reports for the year 2026.

The report, titled “Global Wealth Prospects: A New Vision for Growth in a Changing World,” reviews the most prominent considerations that are reshaping the global wealth landscape in light of economic fluctuations, demographic change, and shifting capital flow paths.

The report indicates that the number of high-net-worth individuals around the world is about 23 million people with a total wealth of approximately $87 trillion, which reflects the pivotal role of this group in directing global investment flows.

In this context, the report highlights Dubai’s growing position as a preferred destination for high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and investors looking for markets and investment portfolios that provide them with the flexibility and diversification necessary to face fluctuations.

The report indicates a tangible structural shift in global wealth management strategies. With continued market fluctuations, unstable geo-economic conditions, and varying investment returns, wealthy individuals and families are re-evaluating their capital distribution strategies and destinations.

Investment decisions are no longer limited to asset allocation only, but geographical considerations have become a pivotal element in building investment portfolios due to the importance of regulatory, legal and tax frameworks in protecting wealth and its long-term sustainability.

The transfer of wealth across generations, which is expected to reach about $124 trillion by 2048, is one of the most prominent drivers of this transformation.

As the influence of younger heirs grows, investment strategies are moving towards a greater focus on private markets, artificial intelligence technologies, sustainability and impact considerations while maintaining traditional returns-related objectives.

The next generation of wealthy people is adopting a multi-dimensional investment approach that balances achieving financial gains, flexibility in the face of economic fluctuations and inflation, and the ability of investment portfolios to face unexpected disturbances, in addition to family cohesion across generations, creating a tangible positive impact on the social and environmental levels, and consolidating the reputation and status of the family in the long term.

The report also highlights the growing role of women in wealth management, as they today represent more than 10% of high-net-worth individuals, and are expected to own about 95% of the wealth transferred between couples, which amounts to $54 trillion.

Heiresses often tend to direct their investments towards areas that align with their values ​​and social priorities, such as sustainable, charitable and innovative projects.

High-net-worth individuals are also increasingly focusing on investing in the potential of artificial intelligence, especially in the areas of healthcare, education, and resource efficiency.

The renewable energy sector comes in second place after artificial intelligence in terms of the expected speed of growth in the coming years, as the interest of high-net-worth individuals increases in expanding their investments in areas of sustainability.

In light of this growth, high-net-worth individuals no longer support sustainability issues merely symbolically, but are actually making large-scale financial investments that reflect their practical commitment to environmental and social issues.

It has become necessary for wealth advisors to move beyond the traditional role of evaluating assets and building investment portfolios, as they must manage special deal structures, select reliable partners in the venture capital and growth stages, and integrate data-based analytics into their strategic recommendations.

The report shows that wealth management is still an activity that is primarily based on human relations. Building trust, understanding complex family dynamics, and understanding each family’s unique goals and values ​​are key to ensuring successful wealth management across generations.

His Excellency Arif Amiri, CEO of the Dubai International Financial Center Authority, said that global wealth management strategies are witnessing a fundamental structural transformation, as families face investment environments characterized by fluctuations, varying regulatory frameworks, and changing priorities of new generations, which prompts them to reconsider the concepts of risk, flexibility, and long-term growth. In this context, geographic considerations are no longer less important than investment strategies themselves, as they have become a critical element in protecting and preserving wealth. Dubai, especially the Dubai International Financial Center, has anticipated this transformation by providing a stable environment. It is open to global markets with a high level of regulatory clarity, enabling families and investors to make long-term investment decisions with complete confidence.

The report confirms Dubai’s leadership as a global center for private and family wealth, as it combines the institutional depth of long-established financial centers, a flexible and stable investment environment, as well as attractive tax advantages for global investors.

According to Henley & Partners estimates, the UAE will attract about 9,800 new millionaires in 2025, most of them in Dubai, recording the highest global net inflow of investments amid ongoing shifts in the tax policies of traditional financial centers.

The Dubai International Financial Center hosts 1,289 entities affiliated with family companies, making it the largest family wealth system in the UAE, and strengthening Dubai’s position as a leading destination for private wealth.

This growth is based on an integrated system that includes private banking services, wealth and asset management, and legal and advisory services. This is in line with the UAE’s declaration of 2026 as the “Year of the Family,” and highlights the growing role of families in global wealth management.

The report highlights the accelerating development of the professional capabilities of family offices and wealth managers with increasing demand for private markets investment, artificial intelligence-based analytics, and advanced governance and advisory services.

In this context, the DIFC continues to strengthen its wealth management infrastructure through the “DIFC Family Wealth Centre” – the first initiative of its kind in the world to support multi-generational families.

The report, “Global Wealth Prospects: A New Vision for Growth in a Changing World,” indicates that Dubai not only keeps pace with global wealth transformations, but also plays a pivotal role in shaping an integrated investment environment that supports the growth and prosperity of private and family capital.

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