The world’s richest entrepreneurs are increasingly sending their money to tried-and-tested wealth hubs — with Singapore, the UK, and Switzerland leading the pack.
That’s the key finding from HSBC’s 2025 Global Entrepreneurial Wealth Report, which surveyed 2,939 business owners across 15 markets — including the US, UK, mainland China, India, Singapore, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE — between April 19 and May 21.
Globally, 59% of entrepreneurs said they were considering shifting assets abroad in the next 12 months, with Singapore singled out as the top destination for capital.
The city-state has become Asia’s financial safe haven, attracting inflows not only from its Southeast Asian neighbors but also from India and the Middle East, HSBC said.
Switzerland remains a magnet thanks to its centuries-old reputation in private banking, while the UK continues to draw entrepreneurs who see opportunities in its deep financial markets and global connectivity.
But while the global wealthy are diversifying, Chinese entrepreneurs are increasingly going in a different direction.
According to HSBC, 38% of business owners in mainland China plan to reduce their exposure to property — a dramatic pullback after years of overreliance on real estate as the cornerstone of their wealth.
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At the same time, capital flows between the US and China have nearly collapsed; just 6% of entrepreneurs say they intend to move assets to the US, while only 1% of American entrepreneurs are looking to allocate money to China.
The contrast underscores the shifting shape of globalization. While capital continues to circulate through corridors linking Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, the two largest economies are disengaging.
The report also shows that optimism among entrepreneurs is strikingly high: 90% expect their wealth to grow despite trade wars and policy volatility.
HSBC’s report cited AI as another powerful theme, with 62% saying technology is their single biggest growth driver.
Wealth is also increasingly mobile: 56% of entrepreneurs already live in more than one location, and 57% are considering adding new residencies, per HSBC.
As HSBC puts it, diversification is the hallmark of global wealth today — but in China, retreat appears to be the strategy.
