Preservation is only the first step; positioning is where the future is built.
According to the IMF’s July 2025 update, the world economy is set to grow by 3.0 % in 2025 and 3.1 % in 2026, with financial conditions and fiscal support providing resilience despite headwinds from tariffs and geopolitical tensions. Policymakers stress that restoring confidence and predictability will be essential to sustaining momentum.
At the same time, wealth creation remains strong. In 2024, the number of people with assets over US$10 million rose by 4.4 %, with North America leading at 5.2 %. The US now accounts for nearly 39 % of those with US$10 million+ and more than 40 % of those with US$100 million+. Africa is also emerging as a major wealth hub, powered by its young population and foreign investment inflows.
But this surge in wealth is drawing increased regulatory attention. Governments are targeting nondomiciled tax regimes and seeking greater international tax cooperation. For high-net-worth families and family offices, activist tax policy is no longer a distant possibility — it’s an imminent planning factor.
EY’s 2025 Global Wealth Research Report adds another layer: wealth holders are now prioritising intergenerational transfers, alternative investments, GenAI adoption, and transparency. Advisers are expected to integrate governance, technology, and sustainability into a global wealth strategy.
What This Means for You:
Align with global realities: Diversify portfolios to manage macro risks — from tariffs to currency volatility — while positioning to capture growth in emerging regions.
Plan beyond the balance sheet: Embed family values into succession structures so that the next generation is prepared for stewardship in a shifting tax and regulatory environment.
Harness innovation: Utilise alternative assets and GenAI to enhance decision-making, improve transparency, and ensure advice is tailored to your family’s specific needs.
The Takeaway:
Wealth is growing faster than ever, but so is complexity. The families that thrive will be those who are proactive, globally aligned, and equipped to navigate both opportunities and risks.