World’s Wealthiest Families Lead “Largest Private Wealth Migration Ever”

The world’s richest families are increasingly relocating across borders, in what experts describe as the largest private wealth migration in history.

Advisors working with ultra-high-net-worth clients told CNBC that demand for cross-border relocation services, residency planning, and citizenship consultations is surging, driven by geopolitical tensions and sudden policy shifts.

According to a report by Swiss multinational investment bank UBS, 36% of its 87 billionaire clients surveyed had already moved at least once by 2025, while another 9% were considering doing so. Among billionaires under 54, 44% relocated last year. UBS stated: “We are already witnessing the largest private wealth migration in history.” Data from Henley & Partners, a consultancy specializing in investment migration, confirms this widening trend.

Wealthy families are attracted to jurisdictions offering political stability, personal security, low taxes, and a high standard of living. Advisors note that jurisdictional risk is now treated as a financial risk, something that must be actively diversified.

Deepesh Agarwal, managing partner at Faro & Co., said, “Families increasingly realize political systems can change rapidly, regulatory frameworks can tighten, and geopolitical tensions can escalate in a short timeframe.”

He added that wealthy individuals approach residency and citizenship options the same way they diversify investments, avoiding overreliance on any single country in case of political or policy changes.

Experts highlight two main factors influencing migration today: geopolitical shifts and the speed at which they occur. Political changes that once took decades now unfold within a single political cycle. Geopolitical considerations have moved from a secondary concern to a primary factor, with decisions increasingly guided by assessments of neutrality, institutional strength, and rule of law.