Blitz Bureau
Abu Dhabi and Dubai have topped the list of the world’s most tax-friendly cities, according to Multipolitan’s Wealth Report 2025: The Taxed Generation. The index also highlights strong regional performance, with five other Gulf cities – Manama (No 4), Doha (No 5), Kuwait City (No 8), Riyadh (No 12), and Muscat (No 17) – making the top 20.
The UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi, was ranked first, while Dubai came in second, reinforcing the country’s growing reputation as a global hub for high-networth individuals (HNWIs) seeking lowtax jurisdictions with stable governance and legal clarity.
The report evaluated 164 jurisdictions on statutory taxation metrics, bilateral treaty coverage, and governance indicators. The UAE’s top ranking is attributed to its zero personal income tax, relatively low property transfer costs, and regulatory stability. “The UAE is at the forefront of a global shift in wealth preservation. Geography is becoming the ultimate strategy,” said Nirbhay Handa, CEO of Multipolitan. In total, seven of the top 20 cities are located in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a region increasingly viewed as a key jurisdiction for global wealth management.
Singapore ranked third on the index, driven not by low taxes, but by fiscal prudence, treaty networks, and policy stability. Zurich and Hong Kong also featured in the top 10.
According to Gabrielle Reid, Head of Insights, Multipolitan, “In a world where wealth mobility has become increasingly fluid, taxation remains one of the most powerful levers influencing where highnet-worth individuals (HNWIs) and ultrahigh-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) choose to live, invest, and preserve their wealth.”
“Today’s tax-friendly cities must offer more than low rates. Investors want confidence that policies are stable and that their assets are protected,” Handa said. Alongside the tax rankings, the report features two additional indices: the Wealth Preservation Cities Index (2015–2025) and the Smart & Sustainable Cities Index (2025). On the Wealth Preservation Cities Index, Zug, Hong Kong and Basel lead, having safeguarded real purchasing power through a volatile decade. Abu Dhabi and Dubai place 22nd and 24th, underscoring increasing maturity in capital preservation.
On the Smart & Sustainable Cities Index, Wellington, Copenhagen and Singapore top the list, combining climate resilience with advanced digital infrastructure, the bedrock of future wealth security. Abu Dhabi and Dubai rank 23rd and 25th, reflecting momentum and future potential. Multipolitan, founded in 2024 by Nirbhay Handa and Lee Smith, offers a product-driven global migration platform that supports international travel, relocation, business setup, and asset management.
