The UAE’s net wealth is projected to reach USD 6 trillion by 2030, despite short-term volatility caused by the Iran war and wider geopolitical uncertainty, as the Gulf economy continues to attract capital, wealthy individuals, and international wealth managers.
The Emirates’ net wealth is expected to increase by more than USD 2.3 trillion over the five years to 2030, expanding at an annual rate of 10.6%, according to Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) Global Wealth Report 2026: The Great Reordering. The forecast highlights the country’s long-term wealth creation potential even as conflict clouds the near-term economic outlook.
The number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), defined as people with assets exceeding USD 100 million, is expected to rise from about 500 in 2025 to approximately 800 by 2030. Their share of the country’s financial wealth is forecast to edge up from 26.3% to 26.5%.
The projections follow a strong performance in 2025. The UAE’s net wealth grew 12.7% to USD 3.6 trillion, from USD 3.2 trillion a year earlier, according to BCG data reported by Khaleej Times.
Physical assets, including property, accounted for USD 2.4 trillion, while financial wealth reached USD 1.4 trillion. Liabilities increased to USD 220 billion from USD 210 billion.
Real assets are expected to remain a major driver.
Their value is forecast to rise to USD 4.2 trillion by 2030, representing annual growth of 11.5%. Financial wealth, meanwhile, is projected to reach USD 2.1 trillion, growing at 8.7% annually. Liabilities are expected to increase to USD 340 billion over the same period.
However, the near-term outlook has become less certain. The conflict involving Iran has unsettled regional markets, with investor sentiment influenced by geopolitical developments and oil-price movements.
“While we anticipate slightly lower growth over the next one to two years, a rebound is expected towards the latter part of the decade,” said Lukasz Rey, managing director and partner at BCG, according to The National.
Sovereign wealth, economic diversification, liquidity events involving family businesses, and continued private capital activity are expected to support the longer-term expansion. Wealth managers are nevertheless likely to remain cautious while the conflict and its economic consequences persist.
The World Bank has also warned of pressure on Gulf economies, forecasting an average contraction of 4.3% in 2026, according to The National. That outlook underscores the tension between immediate economic risks and the UAE’s longer-term ambitions to establish itself as a global financial center.
The wealth opportunity extends beyond the very richest residents. The number of individuals with assets of USD 20 million to USD 100 million is projected to increase from around 2,700 to 4,200 by 2030.
Those with between USD 1 million and USD 20 million are expected to increase their share of financial wealth from 29.3% to 31.5%.
The affluent population, with assets between USD 250,000 and USD 1 million, is forecast to grow from about 500,000 to 600,000.
Yet its share of wealth is expected to decline from 15.5% to 14.6%, suggesting that growth in the overall population of affluent individuals will not necessarily translate into a larger share of financial assets.
The UAE’s role as an international wealth booking center is another important component of the outlook.
Cross-border wealth belonging to international clients and booked in the country increased 11.1% to USD 721 billion in 2025, BCG said.
The expansion reflects the development of financial infrastructure in the Dubai International Financial Centre and Abu Dhabi Global Market, alongside the country’s appeal as an alternative base for international investors.
Analysts project that cross-border wealth booked in the UAE will exceed USD 900 billion by 2030, provided regional conditions stabilise.
Currency and deposits are forecast to grow from USD 471.8 billion in 2025 to USD 778.9 billion, while equity holdings are expected to increase from USD 419.4 billion to USD 591.9 billion.
For banks, asset managers, and private wealth firms, the forecast signals an expanding pool of potential clients and assets.
However, the immediate challenge will be to manage geopolitical risk while remaining focused on long-term opportunities.
The UAE’s ability to sustain inflows, retain investor confidence, and diversify its economy will determine whether its wealth ambitions withstand the current turbulence.