Multipolitan Releases 2025 Wealth Report, Crowns Dubai and Abu Dhabi as Most Tax-Friendly Cities
Multipolitan has released its 2025 Wealth Report, “The Taxed Generation,” marking a pivotal shift in how cities are measured for fiscal appeal. Alongside the report, the firm launched the world’s first Tax-Friendly Cities Index, comparing 164 global jurisdictions on tax policies and governance.
The headline finding? Abu Dhabi and Dubai take the top two positions, a first for any Middle Eastern country, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a destination of choice for global investors and mobile wealth.
The 2025 edition of Multipolitan’s Wealth Report, titled The Taxed Generation, focuses on a growing reality: preserving wealth in an era of rising regulation is harder than ever.
With tax scrutiny intensifying, enforcement tightening, and rules shifting across jurisdictions, high-net-worth individuals and globally mobile entrepreneurs are being forced to rethink their strategies. The report dives into how they’re adapting — and where they’re turning.
At the center of this year’s findings is the debut of the Tax-Friendly Cities Index, a data-led benchmark that ranks 164 cities worldwide using a blend of fiscal, legal, and lifestyle metrics.
These include income tax rates, capital gains tax exposure, inheritance and wealth taxes, as well as the strength and breadth of bilateral tax treaties. Governance quality — covering transparency, consistency of enforcement, and regulatory ease — is also factored into the overall score.
The release comes at a time when global tax policy is tightening and mobility of wealth is accelerating. Governments are under pressure to widen tax bases, while families and founders alike are reassessing where and how their assets are structured. This year’s report responds to that shift with a new lens: not just where wealth is generated but where it’s safest to preserve.
Key Findings from the Tax-Friendly Cities Index
The newly launched Tax Friendly Cities Index ranks cities based on a mix of tax policies and governance quality, and this year’s findings bring the Gulf into sharp global focus. Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Singapore top the list, each representing a different approach to attracting wealth.
Top 3 Cities in the Index:
- #1 Abu Dhabi – Offers zero personal income tax, minimal property transfer costs, and a solid legal infrastructure for investors and private wealth.
- #2 Dubai – Combines broad international connectivity with regulatory clarity and a continued zero tax regime on most income streams.
- #3 Singapore – While not tax-free, it is recognized for fiscal prudence, deep treaty networks, and long-term policy consistency, making it a model of financial governance.
GCC Cities Dominate the Top 20:
The Index confirms the Gulf Cooperation Council’s emergence as a global wealth hub, with 7 cities from the region in the top 20:
- Manama (4)
- Doha (5)
- Kuwait City (8)
- Riyadh (12)
- Muscat (17)
These cities score high on tax neutrality, investor visa access, and governance reforms — positioning the region as a haven for mobile capital and strategic relocation.
In the official press coverage, Nirbhay Handa, CEO of Multipolitan, commented:
“Wealth isn’t just being built anymore — it’s being defended. Geography has become the ultimate strategy. The UAE is at the forefront of this shift, offering not just low tax rates but something even more important — predictability, legal clarity, and institutional trust.”
Why Abu Dhabi Took the Top Spot
Abu Dhabi’s first-place ranking isn’t just about having no income tax — although that certainly helps. What truly sets it apart is a rare combination of low tax exposure, legal certainty, and affordability.
There’s no personal income tax, which removes a significant financial burden from individuals and business owners.
Property transfer costs remain low, reducing friction for investors and homebuyers alike.
The city also benefits from a robust legal and regulatory framework which is a critical factor for families and firms relocating capital across borders.
Importantly, governance has remained stable and predictable over the past decade, contrasting with many jurisdictions facing tax regime volatility. For cost-conscious investors, Abu Dhabi offers additional appeal: living expenses are roughly 10% lower than Dubai’s, and rents are up to 30% cheaper.
While Dubai shares similar tax benefits, Abu Dhabi edges ahead on total cost, legal continuity, and long-term clarity — especially for those focused on preserving wealth.
Inside Abu Dhabi’s Tax Ecosystem: ADGM, Mainland, and Strategic Flexibility
A key driver of Abu Dhabi’s rise is its diverse regulatory infrastructure. Investors can structure wealth and operations across multiple zones, each tailored to specific business objectives.
The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has rapidly become a premier international financial center. Operating under an English common law framework and offering zero personal income tax, it’s a preferred jurisdiction for family offices, asset managers, and multinational firms.
One standout structure is the ADGM holding company, widely used for consolidating regional or global assets under a tax-efficient and reputationally strong umbrella. It offers flexibility in ownership, investment, and cross-border planning — with no capital gains or withholding tax.
Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi Mainland remains attractive for businesses targeting the UAE’s broader domestic market, including government contracts and sectors outside of designated free zones.
This hybrid jurisdictional offering allows wealth owners and founders to align tax efficiency with real-world operational needs. Whether optimizing for international structuring via ADGM or running active onshore businesses through the mainland, Abu Dhabi delivers rare optionality.
As the UAE’s corporate tax regime matures, this flexibility ensures Abu Dhabi remains a secure, strategic base for long-term wealth preservation.
Why Stability Matters as Much as Tax Rates
In today’s world, low taxes alone aren’t enough. Wealth isn’t just looking for savings — it’s looking for safety. Cities that rank high on tax-friendliness also tend to offer something harder to quantify: predictability.
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Singapore have each earned reputations for stable and rules-based governance. That means investors aren’t constantly bracing for sudden tax law or enforcement changes. It also means courts, regulators, and institutions are seen as reliable, not arbitrary — a key difference when long-term wealth is on the line.
For global families and entrepreneurs moving capital across borders, the question is no longer just, “Where is tax low?” In fact, it’s, “Where will the rules still make sense five years from now?”
That’s why these cities stand out. They don’t just offer favorable tax rates — they offer clarity, consistency, and trust. And in an era of rising tax pressure elsewhere, that kind of certainty is becoming a premium asset in itself.
GCC: The Emerging Epicenter of Global Wealth Preservation
The Gulf is no longer just a region of oil and gas. It’s becoming a serious anchor for global wealth — and not just on paper. Over the past decade, cities across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have evolved into financial hubs that matter, drawing in high-net-worth individuals from all over the world.
What’s driving this? A mix of things. Tax neutrality, certainly. But also, capital market reforms, political stability, and a sense of long-term direction. Cities like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, and Manama aren’t just lucky. They’ve earned their reputations through years of steady planning and bold investment.
And the numbers speak for themselves. More than ever, wealthy families and business owners are choosing to live, work, and invest here. From London and Lagos to Mumbai and Hong Kong, global wealth is flowing into the region — not just for returns, but for reassurance. Many are moving their homes, trusts, and headquarters. That says something.
The Multipolitan Wealth Report 2025 puts this shift into sharp focus: 7 of the world’s top 20 tax-friendly cities are now in the GCC.
That’s no footnote — it’s a headline.
And it marks the Gulf’s growing role in shaping the future of private capital.
Why It Matters for Global Investors
For global investors and high-net-worth individuals, these rankings aren’t just vanity metrics.
They’re a signal — and a strategy.
Wealth today isn’t just about growth. It’s about resilience. That’s why relocation choices now go beyond low tax rates. Investors are looking for the full picture: asset protection, legal clarity, political stability, and a lifestyle that works for both business and family.
In cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore, that full picture comes into focus. These places offer more than tax advantages — they provide consistent governance, efficient regulation, and a standard of living that meets global expectations.
As the world becomes more complex — with tighter tax oversight and growing geopolitical risks — smart investors are rethinking how and where they hold their wealth. Diversification helps. But location? That’s the real moat.
For many, the GCC checks all the boxes. It’s not just about keeping more of your capital. It’s about living better, protecting smarter, and aligning your wealth with the future.
Conclusion
In today’s environment, where tax regimes are tightening and regulatory landscapes are shifting fast, geography has become a cornerstone of wealth preservation. Where you live and where you structure your assets can have as much of an impact as how you invest them.
As global tax regimes become more complex, knowing where and how to hold wealth matters more than ever. The Tax Friendly Cities Index isn’t just a ranking; it’s a practical tool for investors, family offices, and advisors navigating cross-border decisions.
In the years ahead, resources like this will be critical not just for tax efficiency but also for making informed, lasting choices about where wealth can thrive confidently.
References
- Gulf Cooperation Council. https://www.mofa.gov.bh/london/en/gcc.
- ‘High Net Worth Individual (HNWI)’. Corporate Finance Institute, https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/wealth-management/high-net-worth-individual-hnwi/.
- Release, Press. Multipolitan Releases Wealth Report 2025: Unveils First Ever Tax Friendly Cities Index. https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/multipolitan-releases-wealth-report-2025-unveils-first-ever-tax-friendly-cities-index-hhx9uyzo.
- The Taxed Generation Report 2025 Key Insights. https://www.multipolitan.com/resource/multipolitans-wealth-report-2025—the-taxed-generation.
- ‘UAE Emerges as Top Global Safe-Haven for Wealth in New Tax Index’. Khaleej Times, https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/uae-emerges-as-top-global-safe-haven-for-wealth-in-new-tax-index.
