Singapore continues to cement itself as one of the world’s most attractive destinations for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), ranking third globally, according to Savills’ Spotlight on Wealth Trends report. This inaugural index evaluates nearly 100 cities across five pillars: business environment, family environment, legacy, lifestyle, and privacy/security.
Only Dubai and New York City ranked higher, with Singapore placing ahead of long-established hubs such as Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, Monaco, London and Geneva. With wealth creation accelerating across Asia-Pacific, Singapore’s broad appeal is more relevant than ever.
From a real estate standpoint, this reinforces what buyers, investors, and industry professionals have long observed:
👉 Singapore is viewed as a safe, stable, future-proof home base — not just for lifestyle, but for wealth preservation, succession planning, and multigenerational living.
🌏 Where Singapore Stands Globally
- Ranked 3rd worldwide among 100 wealth hotspots
- Top competitors: Dubai (1st), New York City (2nd)
- Other APAC cities in the top 30:
- Shanghai (16th)
- Bangkok (17th)
- Tokyo (24th)
💼 Why Singapore Scores So Highly with HNWIs
1️⃣ Business Environment: Pro-business, Connected, Predictable
Singapore excels in:
- Airport connectivity
- Competitive corporate tax environment
- Digital infrastructure
- Innovation-driven economy
- High GDP per capita
This places it alongside Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong as top-tier hubs for business mobility and wealth growth.
2️⃣ Family Environment: Stability + Education
Singapore remains attractive due to:
- Strong incentives and pathways for global talent
- Top-tier international schools
- A structured and stable regulatory environment
Dubai leads in this pillar because of its 10-year golden visa, but Singapore’s education and family stability remain unparalleled.
3️⃣ Legacy & Wealth Preservation: Long-Term Planning
Wealth planning is a rising priority, and Singapore stands out because:
- No inheritance tax
- No capital gains tax
- No wealth tax
- Attractive jurisdiction for family offices, trusts, and estate planning
Family offices globally continue to surge:
- 6,130 in 2019 → Over 8,000 today
- Expected 10,700 by 2035
- Singapore hosts 4% of top global family offices — same as Denmark
4️⃣ Lifestyle Appeal: Clean, Sophisticated, Liveable
Under lifestyle metrics, Singapore ranks 7th globally, noted for:
- High-quality hospitality and dining
- Strong retail offerings
- Excellent public safety
- Balanced urban living
Cities such as London, Tokyo, NYC and Paris ranked ahead due to larger cultural and entertainment ecosystems, but Singapore stands out for its everyday liveability and cleanliness.
5️⃣ Privacy & Security: A Core Advantage
As cybercrime and privacy risks escalate worldwide, wealthy families increasingly prioritise:
- Digital privacy protection
- Secure transactions
- Physical safety
- Low corruption and strong governance
Singapore’s reputation for safety and data protection remains one of its greatest draws.
🌐 Shifting Wealth Geography: Who’s Rising?
Savills highlights several emerging hotspots driven by tech, wellness, and lifestyle shifts:
- Shenzhen and Bengaluru: triple-digit millionaire growth in the last decade
- Resort areas like Tuscany, Aspen, and Zermatt becoming year-round luxury destinations
- Millennial and Gen Z wealth transfer shaping future preferences — digital infrastructure, sustainability, lifestyle quality
The coming decade may see wealth flowing more toward cities with agility, innovation, and strong future-forward ecosystems.
🏠 Commentary: What This Means for the Singapore Property Market
From an agent’s perspective, the implications are clear:
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Luxury demand remains strong, especially in stable jurisdictions.
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Singapore’s appeal goes beyond lifestyle — it’s about wealth preservation, security, and future-ready infrastructure.
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More HNWIs relocating means continued demand in CCR and RCR prime districts, including:
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- River Valley
- Orchard
- Marina Bay
- Sentosa
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Family offices continue to anchor significant foreign interest in residential and commercial properties.
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Long-term fundamentals remain robust despite cooling measures — Singapore’s brand value is strong.
📊 Infographic (Point-Form Overview)
🌍 Global Wealth Ranking
- 🥉 Singapore ranks 3rd globally
- 🥇 Dubai leads the index
- 🏙️ NYC ranks 2nd
💼 Business & Wealth Strengths
- 📡 Highly connected digital infrastructure
- 🛫 Strong global connectivity
- 💵 Attractive tax environment
- 📈 Stable GDP growth
👨👩👧 Family Environment
- 🏫 Top international schools
- 🧭 predictable regulations
- 🛂 Talent-friendly policies
🏛️ Legacy & Succession Planning
- ❌ No inheritance tax
- ❌ No capital gains tax
- ❌ No wealth tax
- 🏢 Rising family office ecosystem
🌆 Lifestyle & Liveability
- 🥇 Clean, safe, efficient city
- 🍽️ Quality dining & retail
- 🏥 Reliable healthcare
🔐 Privacy & Security
- 🛡️ High physical safety
- 🔐 Strong data protection
- 👁️ Low corruption nation
✅ Summary Highlights
✅ Singapore ranks 3rd globally as a top destination for wealthy individuals.
✅ Strong business, family, and legacy ecosystems reinforce long-term appeal.
✅ No inheritance, capital gains or wealth taxes — major draw for succession planning.
✅ Rising global family offices continue to fuel Singapore’s wealth ecosystem.
✅ Liveability, safety and predictability make Singapore a unique value proposition.
✅ Demand for prime real estate expected to stay resilient.
If you're exploring Singapore’s prime districts or planning wealth-aligned real estate moves, I can guide you through CCR, RCR, and key luxury segments. Feel free to reach out anytime.