UAE still poised for growth in post-conflict era: report

April 8, 2026

UAE's Dubai is a consistent favorite of expats looking for a Western lifestyle without taxes, hence pushing up prices of luxury properties in the emirate. Image credit: Shutterstock

By Luxury Marketer Intelligence

The United Arab Emirates is steadily consolidating its status as a global hub for entrepreneurship, international capital and private wealth, even as the region navigates a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty following the recent escalation of tensions between Iran and the United States.

A new edition of Agility Research & Strategy’s WealthLens’ UAE 2026 study captures sentiment at a particularly pivotal moment: the report was initiated before the conflict and completed during it, providing a timely snapshot of how wealthy individuals in the UAE are thinking about financial advice, protection and diversification in a more volatile environment.

The study is based on Agility’s WealthLens UAE 2026 interviews of 300 high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, conducted between February and March 2026.

Per the report:

Against this backdrop of uncertainty, the outlook across the UAE’s HNW and UHNW community remains constructive and increasingly opportunity-led, with roughly 80 percent expecting business conditions to improve.

Portfolios remain equity-led, complemented by domestic real estate and liquidity reserves, while diversification is widening through alternatives and strategic hedges such as gold.

UHNW investors are the more globally diversified and risk-on cohort, holding a higher share of offshore assets (34 percent versus 29 percent for HNWIs) and showing a stronger risk appetite (76 percent versus 66 percent), raising the bar for advice, access and service experience in the year ahead.

The next generation is reshaping what wealth management looks like
Under-35 HNWIs are a structurally distinct client group: more financially anxious (55 percent worry they are not doing enough with their money), more digitally oriented (52 percent demand tech-enabled banking) and more likely to choose their own financial institutions rather than inheriting their parents' choices.

Only 41 percent bank with the same institutions as their parents, and 11 percent have moved entirely to digital or fintech platforms.

Geopolitical uncertainty is likely to accelerate this generational divergence.

The relationship manager is the real asset: 56 percent would follow their RM to a new firm

More than half of UAE HNWIs say they would switch financial institutions if their relationship manager moved elsewhere.

In an uncertain environment, trusted personal relationships become more important to clients, not less. Institutions that retain key advisers will retain clients.

Tax planning is near-universal and growth-focused, not just compliance-driven
Ninety-seven percent of UAE's wealthy investors say tax planning is an important part of their investment strategy. Their primary goal is not minimizing liability – 40 percent are focused on maximizing tax-advantaged investment opportunities.

In a post-conflict environment, cross-border tax planning and asset structuring are likely to become even more prominent priorities for this segment.

Gold was already broadly held and conflict makes it more relevant, not less
Gold ownership was broad even before recent events: 57 percent of UAE HNWIs held jewelry, 55 percent held gold ETFs and 55 percent held physical bars or coins.

For ultra-high-net-worth individuals, currency depreciation concerns (46 percent) and advisor recommendations (45 percent) were the top triggers to increase exposure – both factors that typically intensify during periods of geopolitical stress.

The case for gold in UAE wealth portfolios has only strengthened.

ESG interest is broad, but convictions are selective
Nearly three quarters of UAE HNWIs express interest in sustainable investing, but only 20 percent say they invest exclusively in ethical companies.

The majority (53 percent) check for ethical policies where possible, without making it a hard filter.

How geopolitical events interact with ESG priorities (particularly around defense, energy and supply chain) is now a live question for the sector.

Wealth is highly mobile and geopolitical instability can only accelerate it
Even before the recent conflict, around 33-40 percent of UAE's wealthy investors were actively considering changing their private banking, wealth management or insurance provider.

For ultra-high-net-worth individuals, the figure rose to 63 percent for private banking.

Geopolitical instability typically accelerates provider reviews and asset relocation decisions.

The competition for UAE's wealthiest clients is intensifying.

Typically, HNW and UHNW clients have multiple relationships in various geographies and move wealth where and when they need.

Also, Singapore and Switzerland are the preferred destinations. However, due diligence and KYC processes are very stringent.

In a post-conflict scenario, we see wealth moving back to the UAE as fears subside and stability returns.

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