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Original Research — May 2026

The Millionaire Migration Index 2026

Where the world's wealthy are moving — and why. Tracking the largest voluntary transfer of private capital in modern history.

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165,000+16%

HNWIs Relocating in 2026

Record high, up from 142,000 in 2025

$63B

Collective Wealth in Motion

Estimated investable assets relocating

16,500+73%

UK Net Outflow (Largest Loss)

Largest single-year exodus on record

12,000+23%

UAE Net Inflow (Largest Gain)

6th consecutive year as top destination

Key Findings

Headlines from the Data

Quotable insights for journalists and researchers covering wealth migration trends.

Politics, policy, tax
UK suffers largest single-year wealth exodus ever recorded
16,500 millionaires

The abolition of non-domiciled status in April 2025 triggered an unprecedented flight. Before 2016, the UK had always attracted more millionaires than it lost.

Middle East, geopolitics
Saudi Arabia emerges as surprise wealth magnet
700% increase

Vision 2030 reforms and returning Saudi nationals drive an eight-fold increase in net millionaire inflows. Riyadh and Jeddah lead the surge.

US politics, elections
Americans increasingly seek Plan B residencies
5,000 renunciations

US citizenship renunciations hit near-record levels in 2024 (48% increase). New Zealand saw 240 US applications (34.9% of all NZ Golden Visa applicants).

China, Asia, geopolitics
China wealth flight accelerates despite controls
15,200 net outflow

Common prosperity policies and geopolitical tensions drive a 95% increase in Chinese millionaire departures. Singapore, UAE, and Canada are top destinations.

Economics, finance
The $63 billion wealth transfer reshaping economies
165,000 HNWIs moving

The largest voluntary transfer of private capital in modern history. Countries now compete not just for talent but for the fortunes that follow it.

Interactive Data

Global Wealth Flows

Tracking net millionaire inflows and outflows by country, 2025-2026 projections.

Net Millionaire Flows by Country, 2026
Projected net HNWI inflows and outflows (individuals with $1M+ liquid assets)
Net Outflow
Net Inflow

Source: Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025, New World Wealth projections. HNWI defined as individuals with $1M+ investable liquid assets.

Country Rankings

Winners & Losers

The countries gaining and losing the most high-net-worth individuals in 2026.

Countries Gaining the Most Millionaires (2026 Projection)
Net HNWI inflows — individuals acquiring new residency or citizenship status
RankCountryNet InflowYoY Change
1
🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
+12,000+23%
2
🇺🇸United States
+7,500+7%
3
🇸🇬Singapore
+3,500-54%
4
🇦🇺Australia
+3,000+20%
5
🇮🇹Italy
+2,600+18%
6
🇨🇭Switzerland
+2,500+8%
7
🇸🇦Saudi Arabia
+2,400+700%
8
🇨🇦Canada
+2,200-15%
9
🇬🇷Greece
+1,800+25%
10
🇳🇿New Zealand
+1,200+140%

Data sources: Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025, New World Wealth, Immigration New Zealand. HNWIs defined as individuals with $1M+ in liquid investable assets.

Analysis

What Drives Millionaire Migration?

The push and pull factors influencing HNWI relocation decisions.

Push Factors
Why HNWIs leave their home countries
Tax policy changes85%

UK non-dom abolition, US wealth tax proposals

Political instability78%

Election outcomes, policy uncertainty

Geopolitical risk72%

China-Taiwan tensions, Russia sanctions

Currency instability65%

Nigeria Naira, Argentina Peso

Crime & safety concerns58%

South Africa, Brazil, Mexico

Pull Factors
Why HNWIs choose specific destinations
Tax efficiency92%

UAE zero tax, Italy €200K flat tax

Golden Visa programs85%

UAE, Portugal, Greece, NZ

Quality of life80%

NZ, Australia, Switzerland, Portugal

Political stability78%

Singapore, Switzerland, NZ

Business environment70%

UAE, Singapore, US

Spotlight: New Zealand

New Zealand's Rise as a Wealth Haven

New Zealand recorded a 140% increase in net millionaire inflows in 2026, making it the fastest-growing destination among developed economies. The Active Investor Plus visa programme has attracted 688 applications worth NZ$4.02 billion.

  • 34.9% of applicants are American — more than China and Hong Kong combined
  • No capital gains tax on most assets, no inheritance tax, no wealth tax
  • Top-ranked for safety, political stability, and quality of life
Read: The American Exodus Index
688
Total Applications
$4.02B
Investment Pipeline
+140%
Net Inflow Growth
36
Days to Approval
Methodology

How We Calculated These Numbers

Our methodology combines multiple authoritative data sources with original analysis.

Primary Data Sources

Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025

Published June 2025, in partnership with New World Wealth. Tracks HNWIs who have relocated and remained for 6+ months.

New World Wealth

Global wealth intelligence firm tracking millionaire movements since 2013. Provides country-level projections.

Immigration New Zealand

Official statistics on Active Investor Plus visa applications (May 2026 release).

Government Immigration Agencies

Official golden visa statistics from UAE, Portugal, Greece, Singapore, and other programmes.

Definitions & Methodology

HNWI Definition

High-net-worth individual with $1 million+ in liquid investable assets (excluding primary residence).

Migration Definition

Individuals who have acquired residency or citizenship status in a new country and remained for 6+ months.

Net Flow Calculation

Total inflows minus total outflows for each country, based on primary residence changes.

Push/Pull Factor Weights

Based on Henley & Partners client survey data and published industry research on migration motivations.

Important Caveats

  • • 2026 figures are projections based on Q1 2026 data and historical trends. Final figures may vary.
  • • Many HNWIs acquire residency as a "Plan B" without permanently relocating. This data tracks those who have moved and remained 6+ months.
  • • Only ~30% of HNWI migration occurs through formal investment migration programmes; the majority use work visas, ancestry visas, or other pathways.
  • • Wealth estimates are based on reported data and may undercount individuals who maintain privacy about their assets.

For methodology questions or data licensing inquiries, contact research@nzgoldenvisa.com

Media Kit

For Journalists & Researchers

Quotable statistics, embeddable visualizations, and downloadable assets for your coverage.

Need expert commentary or additional data?

Our research team is available for interviews and can provide custom data cuts.

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Quotable Statistics
Copy-ready stats with full citations
165,000

millionaires projected to relocate in 2026 — a record high and 16% increase from 2025

Source: Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025; NZ Golden Visa analysis

$63 billion

estimated collective investable wealth relocating with migrating HNWIs in 2026

Source: New World Wealth; Henley & Partners

16,500

net millionaire outflow from the UK in 2026 — the largest single-year exodus ever recorded for any country

Source: Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025

12,000

net millionaire inflow to the UAE in 2026 — making it the world's top destination for the 6th consecutive year

Source: Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025

700%

increase in millionaire migration to Saudi Arabia — the fastest-rising destination globally

Source: Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025

34.9%

of New Zealand Golden Visa applications come from US citizens — more than China and Hong Kong combined

Source: Immigration New Zealand, May 2026

5,000

Americans renounced citizenship in 2024 — a 48% increase and the third-highest annual total on record

Source: US Treasury Department

140%

increase in net millionaire inflows to New Zealand — the fastest growth among developed economies

Source: NZ Golden Visa analysis of INZ and Henley data

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  <p style="margin: 0 0 12px; font-size: 14px; color: #64748b;">165,000 HNWIs relocating $63B in wealth</p>
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  Source: NZ Golden Visa
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High-resolution graphics and data files available on request

High-Resolution Graphics

Flow charts, rankings tables, and infographics in PNG/SVG format (300dpi print-ready)

Raw Data & Methodology

Full country-by-country dataset in CSV/Excel format with source citations

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Attribution: When using this research, please cite as:

"The Millionaire Migration Index 2026" — NZ Golden Visa

This research is published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. You are free to share and adapt with proper attribution.

Considering Your Own Migration?

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