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The world’s wealthy are increasingly on the move.
About 108,000 millionaires migrated across borders last year, a 14 per cent increase from the previous year, and more than double the level in 2013, according to Johannesburg-based New World Wealth.
Australia, the US and Canada are the top destinations, according to the research firm, while China and Russia are the biggest losers.
The UK saw around 3,000 millionaires depart last year with Brexit and taxation cited as possible reasons.
Top destinations
Wealth migration figures point to present conditions — such as crime, lack of business opportunities or religious tensions — but can also be a key future indicator, said Andrew Amoils, head of research at New World Wealth.
“It can be a sign of bad things to come as high-net-worth individuals are often the first people to leave — they have the means to leave unlike middle-class citizens,” he said.
Australia tops most “wish lists” for immigrants because of its perceived safety, no inheritance tax, and strong business ties to China, Japan and South Korea. It also stands out for its sustained growth, having escaped the financial crisis largely unscathed and avoided recessions for the past 27 years.
The US was the second most popular destination in 2018, with New York City, Los Angeles, Miami and the San Francisco Bay area the preferred options.
China’s tightening grip on capital outflows in recent years has placed many of the country’s wealthier citizens in the crosshairs of the taxman, leading to a shift of assets and people. Some rich Asians also move to developed countries looking for more comfort or to improve their children’s education.
Volatile emerging markets continued to fuel movement, with Turkey losing 4,000 millionaires last year, the third straight year that many have left. About 7,000 millionaires left Russia last year as the country grappled under sanctions imposed over its annexation of Crimea.
Reducing risks
The desire for privacy is also prompting rich individuals to reconsider their place of residence.
This trend is reflected in the growth in demand for second passports and residencies.
“Many wealthy people are looking for opportunities to reduce risks associated with spreading information about their accounts,” said Polina Kuleshova of Henley & Partners, which provides citizenship advice and publishes rankings such as the Quality of Nationality Index.
A record 26 per cent of global millionaires will begin to plan for emigration this year, according to Knight Franks 2019 wealth report.
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