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UAE — third in the world? HSBC surveyed only the wealthy
The United Arab Emirates ranked third for satisfaction with quality of life, behind Mexico and India. But this is not a global ranking of countries; it’s an HSBC survey conducted by French firm Ipsos among affluent investors in ten markets. In the UAE, 83% of respondents are satisfied with their lives versus 75% in the overall sample. The results were presented on 22 October in Dubai at the UAE Wealth Investment Summit, organized by the bank itself, reports The National.
The study included 9993 people, of whom only 703 live in the UAE. According to HSBC’s methodology, Ipsos surveyed investors aged 21–69 with assets from $100 thousand, and in the high-net-worth category — from $2 million. They examined China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, the UAE, the United Kingdom, and the United States. 83% of 703 — about 583 satisfied respondents — and not an assessment of the quality of life of the Emirates’ population.
More than a quarter of respondents in the UAE rated their life 10 out of 10 versus 15% in the overall sample. According to WAM, 87% are confident in achieving short-term financial goals, 81% — long-term goals. Another 21% are starting or buying a business versus 17% among other study participants.
Half of affluent respondents expect a major inheritance versus 43% in the sample, and 58% intend to pass significant wealth to heirs themselves. The reference amount expected among those able to estimate it is 2 million dirhams ($545 thousand), roughly twice the overall figure. They expect to receive an inheritance by about 52 years of age.
The results were presented by HSBC executives Sami Abuzahr and Craig Vorobik, who are responsible for wealth management and investment decisions. They spoke about the financial confidence of wealthy families, international investments, and passing wealth to heirs. Serving such clients is precisely how HSBC earns. The study was presented at the bank’s summit, which brought together investors and potential clients.
At the same time, the real distribution of wealth in the UAE looks much more interesting than the promotional ranking. According to the Global Wealth Report 2026 from Boston Consulting Group, the country’s net wealth grew by 12,7% over 2025 year — from $3,2 trillion to $3,6 trillion. Of that sum, $2,4 trillion is in real estate and other tangible assets, $1,4 trillion — in financial wealth, and liabilities amount to $220 billion.
In total, 500 people with fortunes above $100 million control 26,3% of the UAE’s financial capital. Another 2700 holders of $20–100 million own 7,4%. So, about 3200 ultra-high-net-worth residents concentrated 33,7% of the country’s financial wealth. By 2030, BCG projects these groups will increase to 800 and 4200 people with nearly unchanged shares of capital — 26,5% and 7,6%.
By 2030, BCG expects the UAE’s net wealth to grow to $6 trillion, financial assets to $2,1 trillion, tangible assets to $4,2 trillion, and debts to $340 billion. This is the consultants’ forecast, not the result of the Ipsos survey.
The UAE’s third place was earned among ten selected markets based on the assessments of 703 affluent people. In that same country, 500 ultra-rich individuals control more than a quarter of financial capital, and the bulk of national wealth is concentrated in real estate and other tangible assets. A survey of a banking audience does not show how satisfied millions of other Emirates residents are with their quality of life.
Incredible, but true....
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