UAE attracts more millionaires, billionaires during Covid-19

Dubai - Data shows wealth of high net worth individuals grew by Dh165 billion to Dh3.2 trillion in second half of 2020.

Wealth of millionaires and billionaires in the UAE increased by $45 billion (Dh165.15 billion) in the second half of 2020 despite Covid-19 pandemic taking toll of its economy.

Data from the New World Wealth showed that the wealth of high net worth individuals grew from $825 billion ($3 trillion) from June 2020 to $870 billion ($3.2 trillion) by the end of December 2020.

The UAE added 4,276 millionaires with a wealth of $1 million-plus and one billionaire during the six month period.

The UAE is home of 87,000 millionaires and 13 billionaires, controlling $870 billion (Dh3.2 trillion) wealth at the end of December 2020. At the end of June 2020, the UAE was home to 82,724 millionaires and 12 billionaires.

The study also found that Dubai is the richest city while UAE is the richest nation in the Mena region.

Andrew Amoils, head of research at New World Wealth, said a number of HNWIs moved to the UAE owing to its status as top safe haven in the region, high-income economy, first-class healthcare system, low tax rates, international business and luxury hub, top-class shopping malls and restaurants, top-end apartments and villas and good international schools.

It estimated that over 35,000 HNWIs have moved to the UAE between 2000 to 2020. Many of these individuals have come from India, the Middle East and Africa.

People in the UAE enjoy per capita income of $89,000 (Dh326,630) followed by Israel ($86,500), Qatar ($71,300), Saudi Arabia ($15,800), Turkey ($5,800) and Iran ($4,800).

The UAE is followed by Israel where millionaires and billionaires own $784 billion assets, followed by Saudi Arabia ($542 billion), Turkey ($482 billion), Iran ($395 billion) and Qatar ($202 billion).

The UAE is the largest wealth management centre in the region with assets under management (AuM) of approximately $110 billion, followed by Israel at $95 billion.

Most of the HNWIs have acquired wealth in the fields of finance and professional services; real estate and construction; transport and logistics; hotels and leisure; healthcare; technology and telecoms; retail and fashion; manufacturing, FMCG and Media.

Romika Fazeli, founder and managing director of Emirates World Club, said the UAE is the only country in the Middle East where all kinds of religions and cultures are welcomed and respected.

“I truly believe that as a millionaire and billionaire, you have the financial power and freedom to choose a country as your home where you live a comfortable lifestyle, considering the safety of your family, importance of work-life balance and religious freedom. Dubai is a multi-national and cultural city which makes it also one of the most metropolis cities in the world,” said Fazeli.

“When it comes to lifestyle and safety, Dubai is the best place to live a great life and second to none,” she added.