The Dubai International Financial Centre has released the first report in its 2026 Future of Finance series, titled Global Wealth Outlook: Rethinking Growth in a Changing World, examining how shifts in global wealth are reshaping capital markets.

The report estimates that nearly 23 million high-net-worth individuals, holding a combined $87 trillion, are playing an increasingly influential role in global capital markets. Amid market volatility and geoeconomic uncertainty, geography has become a core portfolio consideration, with jurisdictional risk emerging as a defining factor in long-term wealth preservation.

A projected $124 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer by 2048 is expected to further reshape investment strategies, accelerating allocations toward private markets, artificial intelligence, and sustainability.

Younger heirs are prioritizing a balance between financial returns, reputation, and environmental impact. Meanwhile, women, who now represent more than 10% of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, are set to inherit the majority of $54 trillion in inter-spousal transfers, often with a stronger focus on ethical investing.

The findings also reinforce Dubai’s growing position as a hub for private capital. In 2025, the UAE recorded a net inflow of around 9,800 millionaires, the highest globally. The Dubai International Financial Centre now hosts more than 1,289 family-related entities, forming the region’s largest ecosystem of its kind.

This expansion aligns with the UAE’s designation of 2026 as the “Year of Family,” an initiative led by Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to strengthen family cohesion as a pillar of national development.

The report adds that wealth management is becoming increasingly technology-driven, requiring advisers to combine advanced analytics with personalized guidance and expertise in private markets and intergenerational planning. In response, the Dubai International Financial Centre is enhancing its framework through initiatives such as the DIFC Family Wealth Centre, which supports governance and succession planning for multi-generational families.