Swiss bank UBS announced on Thursday that the total wealth of the world’s billionaires reached a record high of $15.8 trillion in 2025, reflecting a 13% increase compared to the previous year. This surge is attributed to investments in new technologies and the “largest multigenerational inheritance wave” ever recorded by the bank.
In the UAE, the wealth of billionaires has flourished, with their collective fortune rising to $169 billion, showing an annual growth rate of 21.6%.
The report indicated that the UAE is also among the key markets expected to experience significant wealth transitions in the coming years.
It is projected that the total wealth to be inherited in the Middle East and Africa will reach at least $152.7 billion over the next 15 years, with approximately $31.9 billion originating from the UAE.
Niels Zilkens, head of wealth management for the Middle East at UBS, noted that the report titled “Billionaire Aspirations 2025” highlights a remarkable increase in wealth creation and transfer in the region, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia emerging as pivotal markets in this transformation. The UAE continues its upward trajectory, reaching $169 billion, reflecting the growing role of entrepreneurship in the region and accelerating wealth transfers to the next generation. It is anticipated that nearly $153 billion will be passed on to heirs in the region over the next 15 years, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia leading the way. These indicators underscore the growing regional presence and influence in global wealth, emphasizing the need for strategic planning to ensure the preservation and growth of family legacies across generations.
Benjamin Cavalli, CEO of UBS, mentioned that the pursuit of better living conditions, geopolitical concerns, and tax considerations drive decisions to relocate to other areas. He identified Switzerland, the UAE, the United States, and Singapore as preferred destinations for billionaires.
UBS’s bank report, its eleventh on “Billionaire Aspirations,” highlighted an increase in the number of billionaires globally, rising to 2,919, up from 2,682 in 2024. Among them are 2,545 men and only 374 women.
The United States accounts for the highest number of billionaires worldwide, boasting 924 individuals with a cumulative wealth of approximately $6.9 trillion, followed by China with 470 billionaires holding about $1.8 trillion in total.
The Swiss bank noted that between April and the previous twelve months, 91 new billionaires emerged through inheritance, collectively obtaining $298 billion, marking an increase of more than one-third compared to 2024.
Benjamin Cavalli remarked, “These heirs are a testament to the growing wealth transfer occurring over several years.”
The report is based on a survey of ultra-wealthy clients and a database tracking billionaire fortunes across 47 global markets.
UBS estimates that heirs of billionaires will inherit at least $5.9 trillion over the next 15 years.
Most of this inheritance growth is expected to occur in the United States, with India, France, Germany, and Switzerland following in the rankings, according to UBS’s estimates. However, the bank noted that younger billionaires are frequently relocating, which could alter this landscape.