The UAE has claimed the top spot among emerging-market destinations in a new global ranking of family office hubs, compiled by the Global Intelligence Unit of Global Citizen Solutions. The UAE scored 74 points overall, achieving perfect marks of 100 out of 100 in both the regulation and taxation categories, and leading emerging markets with 78 points in financial ecosystem strength. Qatar followed in second place, with India third, Malaysia fourth and Italy fifth. The report also notes that Dubai was ranked the world's seventh-leading financial centre in the 2026 Global Financial Centres Index compiled by Z/Yen Partners. Figures from the Dubai International Financial Centre show that family-related entities registered there reached 1,408 by the end of June 2026, a 36 percent increase year-on-year. The data also found that 88 percent of family offices operating in the UAE hold assets across multiple countries rather than concentrating wealth domestically. Patricia Casaburi, founder and chief executive of Global Citizen Solutions, said cross-border mobility has become an integral part of family offices' diversification strategies, as wealthy families increasingly spread assets and residency options across jurisdictions. Analysts point to the UAE's clear regulatory framework, tax exemptions and maturing financial infrastructure as key drivers behind the influx of family wealth management operations, reinforcing Dubai and Abu Dhabi's ambitions to become leading regional hubs for private wealth.