The Wealth Report 2026: The Middle East's Growing Role in Global Wealth

Across luxury residential markets, ultra-high-net-worth populations and billionaire growth forecasts, the Middle East emerged as one of the strongest-performing regions in the 20th edition of The Wealth Report.

The report highlighted the continued resilience of global wealth creation and the growing influence of private capital across property, investment and luxury markets.

The Middle East recorded the strongest luxury residential growth globally in 2025, increased its share of the world's ultra-high-net-worth population and is home to two of the fastest-growing wealth markets forecast over the next five years. Saudi Arabia also tops the report's ranking for billionaire growth.

The Middle East leads global luxury residential growth

Luxury residential markets across the Middle East were among the strongest performing globally in 2025.

According to the Wealth Report 2026, while global prime residential prices rose by an average of 3.2%, the Middle East significantly outperformed every other region, recording average growth of 9.4%.

To put that into perspective, luxury residential markets across Latin America and the Caribbean grew by 4.7%, Asia-Pacific by 3.6% and Europe by 3.3%, while North America recorded a decline of 0.9%.

Dubai continued to be one of the strongest-performing luxury residential markets globally, recording growth of 25.1% during the year. Only Tokyo, at 58.5%, recorded a higher rate of growth among the markets highlighted in the report.

Luxury residential performance often provides an early indication of where wealth is concentrating and investment activity is accelerating. Strong performance typically reflects a combination of capital inflows, investor confidence and growing demand from high-net-worth individuals, all of which continue to support the region's prime residential sector.

A growing share of global wealth

The strength of the region's residential markets is mirrored by growth in its ultra-high-net-worth population. In 2021, the Middle East accounted for 2.4% of all individuals globally with a net worth exceeding US$30 million. By 2026, that share had increased to 3.1%.

While the increase may appear modest, it reflected the region's growing role within the global wealth landscape. Today, the Middle East is home to 21,922 UHNWIs. By 2031, that figure is forecast to reach 28,956.

The region is also expected to maintain its 3.1% share of global UHNW wealth through to 2031. As highlighted in the Wealth Report 2026, the Middle East is the only region forecast to maintain a similar share of global UHNWIs over the next five years.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE rank among the fastest-growing wealth markets

The report pointed to a more geographically diverse future for wealth creation, with several emerging markets expected to outperform traditional wealth centres.

Indonesia currently tops the global ranking, with its UHNWI population forecast to grow by 82% between 2026 and 2031. Saudi Arabia follows closely behind, ranking second globally with forecast growth of 63%. The Kingdom's UHNWI population is expected to increase from 4,388 individuals today to 7,162 by 2031.

The UAE also featured among the fastest-growing markets, with its UHNWI population forecast to rise by 36%, increasing from 4,851 to 6,588 individuals over the same period.

These rankings offer a glimpse into how the global distribution of wealth may evolve over the next five years. Increasingly, wealth creation is extending beyond the traditional centres that have dominated global rankings for decades, creating a more diverse and competitive global landscape.

Where billionaire wealth is growing fastest

Billionaire growth can provide an early indication of where significant wealth creation is occurring.

According to the Wealth Report 2026, Saudi Arabia is forecast to record the fastest billionaire growth rate globally over the next five years.

The Kingdom's billionaire population is expected to increase from 23 individuals in 2026 to 65 by 2031, representing growth of 183%.

It is followed by Poland (123%), Sweden (81%), Australia (77%) and Denmark (75%).

While billionaires represent only a small segment of the wider wealth population, they play a disproportionate role in shaping investment activity, entrepreneurship, private capital markets and demand for premium assets. Combined with the Kingdom's strong UHNWI growth forecast, these figures highlight the scale of wealth creation expected in Saudi Arabia over the coming years.

Taken together, these trends suggest the Middle East is strengthening its position not only as a destination for wealth, but increasingly as a region where wealth is being created and sustained.

To explore the findings in more detail, download the full Wealth Report 2026.